Daniel Farke has come under intense pressure in recent weeks but he has just put rival Chris Wilder to shame as Leeds United finally returned to winning ways.
The weight of expectation couldn’t have gotten much heavier on Leeds United when they travelled up to Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, but the players finally delivered.
After just one win in their last six games, which threatened to see them blow a place in the automatic promotion spots, Leeds have climbed back up to the top of the table after defeating Boro 1-0.
Dan James’ early strike was the difference in an intense game that Michael Carrick’s side had more than enough chances to level.
Yet, Leeds also looked more like their usual, fiery selves and the win could have been much easier had Ao Tanaka and Patrick Bamford not both had goals wrongly disallowed for offside.
Though it got nervy, Joe Rodon was delighted to see Leeds get back to winning ways and praised Daniel Farke for how he has acted behind the scenes during a difficult period.
Joe Rodon shares how Daniel Farke has acted during difficult spell
Farke has come in for heavy criticism from Leeds fans during the side’s drop in form, with some of his statements after losing points and his team selections coming under heavy scrutiny.
Supporters have been especially annoyed with Farke’s harsh words on Largie Ramazani and with the likes of Joel Piroe, Brenden Aaronson and Manor Solomon keeping their places in the starting XI.
Yet, Rodon has explained that Farke keeping his cool and protecting his players has really helped them get through the tricky patch.
When asked on Sky Sports how Farke has acted during the poor run, Rodon replied: “Of course he’s been here before.
“He’s just worrying about us and keeping all the group calm and just doing what we’ve done all season.
“We go into every game wanting to win and keep working hard and prepare for the next game.
“I think the most important thing is everyone just stay calm, he’s brought that to us the last few weeks.
“We don’t want to draw games, we want to win every game we go into but, if that doesn’t happen, then we take the point.
“But I think it’s more the mentality of the players, it’s the non-stop doing what we’ve done all season. Moving the ball, being aggressive off the ball and just doing us.”
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LeedsLeeds | 41 | 24 | 13 | 4 | 80 | 28 | 52 | 85 |
| 2 |  BurnleyBurnley | 41 | 23 | 16 | 2 | 55 | 12 | 43 | 85 |
| 3 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 41 | 26 | 7 | 8 | 56 | 31 | 25 | 83 |
| 4 |  SunderlandSunderland | 41 | 21 | 13 | 7 | 57 | 37 | 20 | 76 |
Daniel Farke’s calmness outclasses Chris Wilder
Farke had been questioned for continuing to protect his Leeds players even when they’re awful performances didn’t deserve it, as that approach failed last season when the promotion chase collapsed.
Yet, Farke’s continued calm demeanour under immense pressure and refusal to get worked up when things went wrong has paid dividends now.
You only need to look at Chris Wilder’s baffling reaction to Sheffield United’s defeat to Oxford at the weekend to see the difference.
“Do you know what? I think it’s an absolute disgrace,” Wilder told The Star when asked about his fans’ reaction to their shock loss.
“An absolute disgrace to the players who represent the football club and what they’ve done this season.
“It’s a joke and a disgrace. If that’s what you think of the players then, when we have the good days, don’t be clapping.”
While he isn’t wrong, that’s just not something you say about your own fans at such a pivotal moment of the season when everyone needs to pull together.
The Blades then lost to Millwall on Tuesday to compound the issue and dropped to third. The cool Farke has put the hot-headed Wilder to shame.
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