Daniel Farke got his tactics spot on on Friday night as Leeds United eased past Sheffield United to win 2-0 in what was billed as a tricky game for the Whites against the previously unbeaten Blades.
Chris Wilder’s side were unbeaten when they turned up at Elland Road on Friday night, keeping six clean sheets in a row and not conceding since August. But Leeds secured a 2-0 win over their Yorkshire rivals.
A brilliant win that took Leeds into second place in the Championship table over Sheffield United, only for Burnley’s 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday to put Leeds 3rd. Jaidon Anthony scored his first for Burnley.
Farke’s side dominated the game after a shaky start in which the Blades should have scored. Even Farke’s substitutions worked perfectly, Mateo Joseph coming off the bench to score after Pascal Struijk’s opener.
Michael Bridges can’t believe Daniel Farke didn’t start one player
Farke chose to keep the same side that drew at Sunderland intact. That meant the returning Dan James and Manor Solomon had to wait to play on the bench, with both coming back from recent injuries.
Israel skipper Solomon was handed just over 20 minutes by Farke but former Leeds man Michael Bridges told LUTV he could not believe the on-loan Tottenham man did not start after watching him in training.
“For Daniel Farke not to put Manor Solomon in after what I witnessed at the training ground during the week, I don’t know how he’s not playing. But you’ve got to take it from the team that played last time.”
Selection headache for Daniel Farke as Leeds face Watford
Next up for Leeds is Watford on Tuesday night as Farke’s men take on another club in the top eight of the Championship. Leeds will have played six of the seven other sides in the top eight Championship places.
Farke is unlikely to change his goalkeeper, defence or midfield when Leeds go up against Tom Cleverley’s side. But in attack, he has a few decisions to make to his side when Leeds take on the in-form Hornets.
Possible changes Farke could make on Tuesday night:
- Rest Aaronson, start Solomon as a 10
- Rest Aaronson, start Solomon and push Wilfried Gnonto inside as a 10
- Start Dan James over Largie Ramazani
- Start Solomon over Ramazani
- Piroe or Joseph up top?
Brenden Aaronson is likely to be fatigued after playing for America in the early hours of Wednesday and then starting on Friday. He may be rested, while four wingers are now available for selection on Tuesday.
Then, up top. Joseph came off the bench to score though Piroe starred, laying on the assist for Joseph’s goal. Plenty to ponder for Farke but the chances are after Friday night, he doesn’t make any changes.
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