Stoke City manager Alex Neil was made to feel even prouder about his side’s victory over Leeds United due to the quality of Daniel Farke’s bench.
Neil was speaking to the Stoke Sentinel after his side’s 1-0 victory over the Whites on Wednesday night, in which Pascal Struijk’s late own goal was the difference.
In the main, it was a poor affair at the bet365 Stadium with Stoke having the better of the chances in the first half, but Leeds then shading it in the second.
Much of that was down to the quality Leeds brought off the bench, with Crysencio Summerville and Dan James both making an impact, even if the latter did make a poor decision.
Patrick Bamford was also introduced as a substitute and won Leeds a penalty at 0-0, in which he decided to take on the responsibility himself before blazing over the bar.
Neil shares admiration for Leeds bench
Bamford’s missed spot-kick was ultimately what turned the balance of the game in Stoke’s favour, but despite that, Neil was full of praise for the options Daniel Farke has at his disposal.
He said: “But against Leeds, you know they are a good side. Look at the subs they bring on late in the game. I’ve watched them a lot this season and they’ve got better. They came into this game looking for a fourth win in a row. We know how strong they are.
“But I thought in terms of how we triggered the press, how we got after the ball, I thought we did it great. And then I thought there was good spells on the ball. There were still some sloppy moments and we can still improve in that aspect – and we got a let off with the penalty. That was the one moment that rode in our favour and we go up the other end…”
Farke’s subs definitely helped swing the game in Leeds’ favour up until Bamford spurned the golden opportunity to put the visitors ahead.
Having the luxury to bring the likes of Summerville and James on in the Championship is something not many managers will have this season.
With that in mind, it raises the question as to whether Farke is getting the most out of this squad, with the options at his disposal.
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