Phil Hay has told The Square Ball podcast that he thinks Daniel Farke has had his first bad weekend since arriving at Leeds United as boss – as the Whites suffered a 3-1 loss to Southampton on Saturday.
Leeds came into the game after six unbeaten in the league, and four clean sheets in a row. The other end of the spectrum for Southampton, who had four straight losses. But this is the Championship.
Surprisingly, or perhaps unsurprisingly, Southampton scored inside two minutes and were 3-0 up at the break. Farke’s side were overrun in midfield, sloppy at centre-back and ineffective in the final third.
It was Farke’s decision to keep Liam Cooper alongside Pascal Struijk, and it didn’t work. Luke Ayling remained on the bench with Jamie Shackleton at right-back – didn’t work. Archie Gray benched, too.
Hay looked back on the defeat to Southampton and believes Farke got it wrong – but only, for the first time this season. Farke has been praised for his start to life at Leeds. But, poor decisions on Saturday.
“Didn’t feel like a day Leeds were going to get anything. Probably the first time he’s had a bad weekend. He is to answer. It comes down to his decisions. Leeds have played well beforehand,” Hay summed up.
Hay says Farke had his first bad weekend since arriving at Leeds
He got it wrong. Joe Rodon has been our best centre-back, followed by Struijk. It made sense to bring Rodon back in with Struijk. But it is also understandable for Farke to keep the side after the Watford win.
Shackleton was hardly a top performer against Watford and it must be remembered that right-back is not his natural role. Ayling is crucial to this side. Expect Gray, Ayling and Rodon to all start against QPR.
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