Daniel Farke chose to bring on Ian Poveda before turning to Jaidon Anthony like he normally does, handing Poveda more than 20 minutes on Friday night – and Farke explained why after the game.
Leeds failed to make it four wins in a row on Friday night as Rotherham, despite sacking Matty Taylor, held on to a point. Indeed, Rotherham had more than enough chance to go and win the game 2-1.
But Leeds dominated the first half and really should have been two or three ahead. Dan James, Joel Piroe and Glen Kamara were all guilty of missing big chance – the latter crticised for an “awful” finish.
With Leeds chasing a winner after Cree Summerville’s opener was cancelled out by Hakeem Odoffin, Farke made three changes on 70 minutes – bringing on Patrick Bamford, Willy Gnonto and then Poveda.
Asked about the decision to use Poveda ahead of on-loan Bournemouth man Anthony, when the latter is often preferred off the bench, Farke explained the ex-Man City man has been excellent in training.
“Not a gift today [to give him more game time]. Really good training from him. Looked on it in training. Creative. One of our most creative players. He wins one vs ones,” the manager said, as per Leeds Live.
“When the game is standing a little he can do crazy movements. He does not even know which way he will go. When he is focused in training he produces good performances. Did not disappoint me today.”
Daniel Farke explains Ian Poveda decision during Leeds draw
Poveda came off the bench and looked lively, without actually doing anything dramatic. Some neat touches and good runs, one on one against defenders. Clearly, he is making an impression on Farke.
There is a player there, in Poveda. Perhaps, Farke is using a bit more game time as an incentive to Poveda to be more on it in training, or at least as he has been to earn the 20 minutes he got on Friday.
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