Leeds United need more from one key area of the squad, Daniel Farke is right to call it out

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Leeds United travel to Wolves in need of goals to end their three-game winless run, which has seen them fail to find the net in every game.

Daniel Farke has a difficult decision to make over the make-up of his forward line when Leeds take on Wolves, as he looks to end Leeds’ unwanted record in the top flight, having failed to score in their first four games from open play.

With doubts over the fitness of Dan James and Willy Gnonto, Farke could stick with the same front three that started the game against Fulham, after launching a passionate defence of Brenden Aaronson.

However, although Leeds’ front three have lacked a cutting edge this season, a worrying trend has developed under Farke, as the Leeds boss called for more goals from midfield.

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What did Daniel Farke say about Leeds United’s lack of goals from midfield?

Speaking in his press conference ahead of the game against Wolves, Farke admitted that Leeds need more goals from midfield to relieve the pressure on their forward line.

According to Farke, the fact that Leeds are playing most games with three central midfielders this season means his side needs to contribute more in the final third.

Farke said: “Of course, because we also play more or less with three midfielders, and during this season, for that, we also need goals. We need goals and assists from these positions, from Sean Longstaff, from Anton Stach, from Ao Tanaka, Ilia Gruev, if he plays a bit more advanced roles.

“It could also be that at some point we also have a different player or a different type of player in this role. Brendan or Joel have played last season, also a lot in these positions, when we could also afford to have one more offensive player on the pitch.

“Of course, it’s important, and for that, in terms of recruitment, we also focused on this. We know that Sean Longstaff can score goals. Ao Tanaka is capable of doing this; he’s proven this last season.”

He concluded: “In the league games, we need goals from all positions, just no own goals anymore.”

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The stats from Daniel Farke’s reign prove him right

Farke’s attack could be boosted by the return of Ao Tanaka and Joel Piroe for the game against Wolves, in a timely piece of good news for the Leeds boss.

Tanaka’s return is particularly important in relation to Farke’s point above. He has proven to be by far the most prolific midfielder during Farke’s reign as Leeds manager.

Since Farke joined at the start of the 2023/24 season, Tanaka is one of only two midfielders to score for Leeds in the league, having scored five in their promotion campaign last year, according to FotMob.

Heading into the crucial clash with Wolves, Ilia Gruev is the only other central midfielder to score under Farke, having scored a direct free-kick in Leeds’ play-off semi-final win over Norwich.

Longstaff scored 10 goals in 175 Premier League appearances for Newcastle. It would be a welcome boost to the Whites if he could find his first goal for the club at Molineux.