Leeds United’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth was frustrating for Daniel Farke and Graham Smyth has been critical of one particular aspect of his management.
The Leeds United performance was one of their best of the campaign so far, with 19 shots and numerous higher quality chances created against Andoni Iraola and co. at Elland Road.
The Whites remain unbeaten at Elland Road but it is yet another game of dropped points deep into stoppage time, following the last-gasp loss to Fulham at Craven Cottage a couple of weeks ago.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 8 |  ChelseaChelsea | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 8 |
| 9 |  BrightonBrighton | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 8 |
| 10 |  FulhamFulham | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 8 |
| 11 |  LeedsLeeds | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 9 | -3 | 8 |
| 12 |  EvertonEverton | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 7 |
| 13 |  BrentfordBrentford | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 11 | -2 | 7 |
| 14 |  Manchester UnitedManchester United | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 11 | -4 | 7 |
Numerous Leeds players stood out against Bournemouth, with Sean Longstaff, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Gabriel Gudmundsson stealing the headlines for their displays on Saturday.
However, Leeds didn’t cover themselves in glory on the goals. Leeds’ set-piece issues against Bournemouth were laid bare and it’s something Farke knows Leeds must improve on after Bournemouth scored so deep into added-time.
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Grahams Smyth question Daniel Farke’s substitutes for Leeds
Leeds’ substitutes on Saturday came in the 67th minute (Jack Harrison for Noah Okafor), the 87th minute (Ao Tanaka for Brenden Aaronson), and Dominic Calvert-Lewin leaving the field in additional time for Lukas Nmecha.
It left the likes of defensive players such as Jaka Bijol, James Justin, and Ilia Gruev as unused subs, as well as Dan James. The Welshman is renowned for his pressing and intensity off the ball, but Tanaka was utilised in a wide midfield role instead.
Graham Smyth spoke to The Square Ball and explained his feelings surrounding that particular aspect of the game, with neither he nor his colleagues getting the chance to ask Farke about the use of his bench.
He said: “I think they have to take a lot more culpability for the the second goal. And, what we didn’t get into in the press conference, which I think sometimes is where you wish you had more time and more questions with the manager.
“And perhaps it was more of a conversation than a ‘here are your two questions with no follow-ups’ — we didn’t really manage to get into the substitutions.
“And, you know, do you want Jaka Bijol in the penalty box in the 93rd, 94th minute heading everything away? Do you want Daniel James on the pitch so that you have an outlet? You know, a ball over the top, just someone to hare away.
“And not even just to present problems on the break, but to take the ball down the other end and keep you from dropping so far back.
“Maybe he was just there for an emergency case today. I don’t know. But yeah, they’ve let themselves down a little bit.”
Another consideration, outside of Bijol and James, is the fact Calvert-Lewin is a player who is strong aerially and who can be useful from defensive set-pieces. He was taken off moments before the equaliser for Nmecha as well.
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Leeds’ Jaka Bijol dilemma for Daniel Farke following previous comments.
Perhaps a more pertinent point than Calvert-Lewin remaining on the pitch is the fact Bijol isn’t currently in Leeds’ best XI under Farke.
After being a mainstay for Udinese in Serie A, Bijol is experienced in fighting relegation and keeping a team and their heads above water. Bijol wants to play at the highest level with Leeds.
He said: “Everyone has a desire to play at the highest level. I’ve always followed the English league and that has always been my desire. I have fulfilled my desire and I hope that the story will be successful.”
The best way to get him involved might be a 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 shape with three centre-backs, but Leeds have had success in their 4-3-3 so far. It’s a dilemma, with Bijol a starter-level player.
The other way is to bring him on late in games to see them out, with Bijol yet to play a league minute for Leeds so far. He was a regular in Italy and his desire is to play and do so at the highest level, too.
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