Daniel Farke has earned the right to enjoy his Christmas after Leeds United secured another statement victory in their Premier League survival fight.
As the sound of Wham’s Last Christmas rang around Elland Road in tribute to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the Leeds boss may have taken a moment to reflect on Leeds’ crazy few weeks.
Just over a month ago, Daniel Farke looked set to lose his job, with Leeds on a run of four consecutive defeats and sitting firmly in the Premier League relegation zone.
The Leeds boss changed his system and approach, introducing Jaka Bijol into a back three and giving Calvert-Lewin more support up front, which sparked Leeds into life in the process.
However, Farke’s plan took on another dimension yesterday, highlighted by the unique role played by Joe Rodon and showed that the Leeds boss has resolved the biggest criticism of his management style in the process.
Who was your MOTM in Leeds’ brilliant win over Crystal Palace? 🦚
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Joe Rodon shows how Daniel Farke is evolving as a manager
Anyone who watched Leeds’ thrilling win over Crystal Palace will have noticed Leeds’ talismanic centre back, Rodon, often marauding down the right wing, rather than sticking rigidly to his place in the back four.
Speaking to the BBC after the game, Farke admitted that Leeds had adopted a new approach during the game, with Brenden Aaronson returning in place of Ao Tanaka, and Leeds switching to a four at the back when in possession against the Eagles.
Farke said: “We have faced the so far best away team in the Premier League. They had 16 points out of their first eight games, and just conceded five goals. We knew we needed a special plan for this game today, and executed it in the perfect way, and the lads have delivered top class.
“It was a complicated game because we were a bit of a hybrid team today, played five men [in defence] against the ball, four men with the ball.
“So it was a complex and complicated game because Crystal Palace are so difficult to open and to break down.
“They are always such a compact side and so dangerous from their quick attacks and counter-attacks, but overall, the execution of the plan was excellent, and all the praise goes to the lads.”
- READ MORE: Dominic Calvert-Lewin addresses England hopes as new Leeds United system sparks striker into life
Leeds United manager can no longer be described as reactive
Although Farke has always been a popular figure at Leeds, fans were often frustrated by a perceived lack of proactivity.
Fans chanted for Farke to make a sub during the defeat against Aston Villa, when the Leeds boss appeared to be slipping towards the sack, before he finally changed the set-up while 2-0 down against City.
This was Daniel Farke’s best performance as Leeds manager – Prove me wrong! 💪
Palace had no answers for Farke's 'hybrid' system. Relive it all here!
However, the game against Palace proved that Farke is now becoming more proactive and giving the opposition a different challenge with his team selection.
Rodon was majestic in the Leeds defence yesterday, looking comfortable on the ball in attack and never getting caught out of position when he made one of his marauding runs.
If the game against City showed that Farke was willing to react, the win over Palace proved he is capable of showing the kind of proactivity the Leeds fans have always craved.
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