Leeds United player was ‘very visibly upset’ in the Elland Road dugout during Aston Villa defeat

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While it was an improved performance from Leeds United, Daniel Farke’s side still suffered another defeat on Sunday afternoon against Aston Villa, and for some, it is all getting too much.

Daniel Farke is under the spotlight once again with fans criticising his in-game tactics and team selection as Leeds suffered defeat to Villa. Leeds had taken the lead but again, Farke was reactive, not proactive.

Leeds surrendered their 1-0 lead as Morgan Rogers scored a brace in the second half. It comes after Leeds had the lead against Nottingham Forest, but ended up losing the game at the City Ground, 3-1.

Five defeats in six and with some major concerns about Farke’s tactical rigidity and player form, many believe it is time for a change. For one player, it all got a bit emotional as he exited the Elland Road pitch.

• READ MORE: Mark Clattenburg shares if the right decision was made to allow Leeds’ goal to stand

Ao Tanaka spotted being ‘very upset’ after being taken off

It is widely accepted that the most embarrassing thing for a player is to be subbed on, and then subbed off. Marcelo Bielsa did it from time to time and on Sunday, Farke took Ao Tanaka off on 70 minutes.

It comes after Tanaka had entered the fray on 23 minutes, replacing Anton Stach, who had bravely put his body on the line for Leeds’ goal. Matt Holland was on commentary duty for Premier League Productions.

As Tanaka went off, Farke stopped him and seemed to explain why he had taken him off. But Holland said that Tanaka was clearly angered by the decision made by Farke, having expected to play until full-time.

“You can see Daniel Farke there explaining to Ao Tanaka why he had been taken off. Tanaka looks upset there, very visibly upset, but Daniel Farke will be explaining why it was the best decision for the team.”

Why taking Ao Tanaka was the right decision by Daniel Farke

In a spattering of poor decisions made by Farke, removing Tanaka was probably the right one. Leeds fans were fuming Brenden Aaronson started again, while fans chanted “make a sub” at Farke from the stands.

It comes after Farke left Willy Gnonto at home against Forest, waited until the 74th minute to make subs and put Jack Harrison on at left-back which resulted in Leeds conceding a penalty to Sean Dyche’s Forest.

Sympathy should be given to Farke in that the German gaffer was not handed what he wanted in the summer. But he is making the wrong decisions in-game, and it is costing Leeds at this moment in time.

However, the decision to take Tanaka was probably the right one. The fourth official had informed Farke that Tanaka was one foul away from a red card, having lunged at John McGinn while on a yellow card.