Daniel Farke has exclusively used formations including just one striker at Leeds so far this season.
The German has either deployed a 4-3-3 or a 4-1-4-1 system, in which Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Lukas Nmecha are tasked with leading the line.
The pressure is mounting on Daniel Farke… should Leeds United sack him?⌛
It has not exactly yielded much success on the attacking front – Leeds can only boast ten goals in 11 Premier League games this term – and Brian Deane has now suggested a solution we feel Joel Piroe will be in support of.
Brian Deane urges Daniel Farke to field two strikers for Leeds United
In a chat with The Yorkshire Post, the man who made 196 appearances for Leeds called on Daniel Farke to switch his system to one accommodating two strikers instead of just one.
Deane said: “For me, what Leeds should be looking to do is play two players up front. In the games that I’ve seen, all I’ve seen is that the opposition get the ball, they’ve got time to stroke it around, switch the play from side to side. You’ve got to try and play in behind the opposition and try and press. Try and play a workmanlike style of football just to get a foothold in the league.
“You’ve got pace in the wide areas with Okafor and Dan James. It’s about getting back to basics. The crowd down at Elland Road will get behind the club if they think they’re competing. You have to make it physical. You play two threats in behind. Defenders do not like going back towards their own goal.”
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Should Farke listen to this advice, it would see Piroe move up the pecking order and get more playing time, either in the way of a start, or just through the fact he would be the first striker option off the bench if Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha start together.
The Dutchman has only made two Premier League starts this season and three appearances off the bench, so we presume he would like Farke to take Deane’s suggestion on board.
Piroe might even push to leave in January given his current situation, so a tactical rethink could keep him in Yorkshire.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s heat map for Leeds United further reinforces Brian Deane’s point
So far this season, Calvert-Lewin has spent a lot of time in wide areas, as a common feature of his game is to run the channels and stretch defences.
However, doing that as a lone striker often means nobody is in the box ready to attack a cross.
So, if the England international was given a partner who could continue to occupy defenders while he pulls out wide, it would presumably make Leeds a more dangerous attacking outlet overall despite losing a man in midfield.
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