Leeds United have just under two weeks to prepare for their next Championship outing at Millwall
The transfer window is shut, the international break is here and Daniel Farke will be looking forward to getting some work done on the Thorp Arch training field over the next couple of weeks. It’s been a testing few months for the German, but after a lot of turnover, he finally knows how his Leeds United squad will look for the first half of the campaign.
He has just under two weeks to prepare United for their next game at Millwall and he’ll be keen to see progress made. Of course, a number of players will be leaving camp to link up with their respective national sides this week, but there’ll be enough left behind for Farke to really make his mark.
After winning just one of his first five league games in change, here’s what he needs to work on over the next fortnight.
Leeds have shown they have the ability to find the back of the net, with four goals coming in the win over Ipswich Town last month. But, that clash at Portman Road is an anomaly, given it’s the only real time they’ve shown that ruthless, clinical edge in front of goal this season, with just three goals coming in the other four games.
Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday was frustrating to say the very least. Leeds had to work hard for their opportunities against a resolute and compact Owls outfit, who sat in with a low block and made life difficult for their hosts, but Farke’s side created more than enough to win the game.
Georginio Rutter, Joel Piroe and Crysencio Summerville were all guilty of wasting fine opportunities and, ultimately, that cost Leeds two points. The Whites have the attacking talent to open up any team in the division, but making those chances count has been a little trickier.
Sheffield Wednesday were not the first team to sit in against Leeds at Elland Road this season and given their relative success, and the points claimed by Cardiff City and West Bromwich Albion, they won’t be the last. Leeds can expect to see similar tactics deployed by visiting teams in the coming weeks and months and they simply have to get better at picking those locks.
As mentioned above, Leeds did create chances against Wednesday and had they been more clinical, we might not be discussing this as such a problem. For large chunks of Saturday’s clash, though, Leeds found themselves frustrated by a backline that was six-men strong at times and took pride in crowding out United’s danger men.
In lieu of a natural number 10, to manipulate backlines, find defence splitting passes, and link the midfield and attack, Leeds must find a solution. Whether that involves pushing Archie Gray up into a more advanced role when in possession, bringing Ian Poveda into the picture, or finding ways to find more overloads in key areas of the field, it’s something Farke will be working hard on to find the answer.
There’s been a hell of a lot of transition over the last few months and while a lot of familiar faces remain, nine new signings have been added the squad, of which five were signed in the last eight days of the transfer window. As such, players are still getting to know one another and figuring out how their teammates play.
The next two weeks will be important, then, as Farke looks to bring his side together at Thorp Arch and help foster their camaraderie and togetherness as the Championship season begins to gather pace. Jaidon Anthony, for example, will be reporting to Thorp Arch for the very first time this week and after his later than late deadline day switch, he has plenty of catching up to do.
Unfortunately both Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara, who arrived on Thursday, will be away on international duty, but Djed Spence and Joel Piroe will have the opportunity to spend some quality time with their new teammates, too. With knowledge and unity comes confidence and the sooner Leeds have that, the better.
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