The switch to 3-5-2 has done Leeds United and Daniel Farke an enormous favour in the last few weeks, proving to be the backbone behind a run of five Premier League games without loss.
The second half at Man City, the win over Chelsea, all down to 3-5-2. The ability to then have two systems helped Leeds draw with Liverpool and Brentford, before Leeds absolutely annihilated Crystal Palace, 4-1.
Did Leeds deserve to take more from their draw with Sunderland? 🤔
DCL was the hero once again at the Stadium of Light
On Sunday, Farke started with a 3-5-2 system, but actually, it was not until Joe Rodon went off with an injury and Farke switched to a 4-3-3 against Sunderland that Leeds actually started to play better.
Interestingly, Farke did not make a like-for-like substitution and bring Sebastiaan Bornauw on for his first meaningful Premier League outing. Instead, Farke replaced Rodon with Ao Tanaka and switched systems.
Stuart Dallas believes Leeds’ formation hinges on Joe Rodon
After the game on LUTV, Leeds icons Stuart Dallas and Dominic Matteo were discussing Rodon’s injury and the defender coming off. Dallas believes Leeds would have preferred to lose anyone before Rodon.
Farke has suggested that Rodon’s injury is a bad one and that he could be missing for a few matches. Dallas believes Farke’s ability to play 3-5-2 hinges on Rodon and without him, will find it tricky to do so.
“He’s the one player you don’t want to lose, he’s integral. Farke was quick to change to a four, we don’t have the depth without Rodon. The fact he changed straight away, Rodon is a huge part of using 3-5-2.”
Dom Matteo was a touch more upbeat, praising Rodon and claiming that Rodon coming out onto the pitch at full-time was a good sign for concerned supporters, despite Farke’s worrying update post-match.
“His progression has been unbelievable. He’s been outstanding. He reads the game well, and his pace gets him out of trouble at times. He came out on the pitch and that was a good sign,” he told The Verdict.
Agree or disagree – Joe Rodon is the last player Leeds United could afford to lose to injury 🤕
The centre back limped off midway through the first half against Sunderland
What Pat Nevin said after watching Joe Rodon’s ankle knocks
While Farke will not know the true or full extent of Rodon’s injury at this stage, the concern is that Rodon was on the receiving end of not one, but two ankle knocks, and in both, it looked like ligament damage.
Pat Nevin was on co-commentary for BBC Sport on Sunday afternoon and he said: “He’s slightly damaged it the first time, the last thing you want is the exact same thing. One of the most painful things in football.
“The bending of the ankle ligaments. He’s done the exact same thing again, it’s horrible. It’s a lot to ask of him to carry on. Exactly the same thing to happen – it’s so weird, so unusual,” BBC Sport’s Nevin added.
Leeds are in action against Liverpool on New Year’s Day, the second of five games in a fortnight. Leeds then host Man United, before facing Newcastle on Tyneside and Derby County in the FA Cup.
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