Leeds United remain well in the hunt for automatic promotion under Daniel Farke despite their recent 1-0 defeat at Millwall.
The Whites were beaten for just the second time this season at the Den but it has left Leeds fans concerned Farke is not learning from past mistakes.
Despite Farke‘s flaws, Leeds are in a better position than this time 12 months ago, though that is only down to the form of the teams around them.
Leeds have accumulated one more point than after 14 matches last season, but are only two adrift of the automatic promotion spots. In contrast, Leicester City and Ipswich Town were already running away with it.
With Millwall now out of the way, Leeds have a run of fixtures against sides either in mid-table or near the bottom. Farke is under pressure to ensure Leeds make the most of it and put a good run together.
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Adrian Clarke says Leeds have a ‘big problem’ under Farke
While Millwall was only Leeds’ first away defeat of the season, it was a pattern of game that has been seen on several occasions under Farke.
Leeds lost eight matches on the road over the course of last term, six of which came by just one goal at Birmingham City, Stoke City, Sunderland, Preston North End, West Brom and Coventry City.
After decent starts to the majority of those matches, Leeds then didn’t have the answer to those sides after conceding the first goal.
Farke’s substitutions were also the subject of criticism from Jon Newsome, as he just doesn’t seem to have the plan B in his locker to change those sort of matches.
Speaking on the latest episode of the ‘What The EFL Podcast‘, pundit Adrian Clarke believes it could be a ‘big problem’ in their quest for automatic promotion.
He said: “Once again, I’ve got to say, Leeds, when they come up against a team that are excellent in their off the ball shape, pressing and aggression, Leeds ran out of ideas. As brilliant as they can be, that’s a big problem in their quest to get automatic promotion in my opinion.”
What Farke said about his subs ahead of QPR
Amid the criticism Farke has received in the period since the loss at Millwall, a question was put to him in his pre-QPR press conference about his choice of subs.
He didn’t see it as much of an issue, though, instead suggesting it was the lack of ‘cutting edge’ in the final third which was the bigger problem.
He said: “You can’t be like a flag in the wind, you have to stick to your beliefs. That’s not us and not the principles. You’re working the whole season to develop the game. Just because there’s one unlucky result you change your whole behaviour.
“I was pleased to see how dominant we were. I’d like to see one team that goes to Millwall [and does that]. We simply didn’t score a goal. That’s something I’m asking for, to show more cutting edge, but not in order to change anything.”
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