Leeds United standout says Daniel Farke deserves credit as summer strategy delivers | OneFootball

Leeds United standout Anton Stach says Daniel Farke deserves recognition for shaping a newly promoted side that has competed throughout the Premier League campaign.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Friday’s win over Burnley brought a standing ovation for Stach when he departed on 70 minutes and left Leeds on 43 points with a goal difference of minus five, close to safety. Parts of Elland Road chanted Farke’s name.

That position stands in stark contrast to last season’s promoted trio, whose combined tally was 59 points. Southampton managed 12, the gap to Spurs in 17th was 13 points, all three conceded at least 80 and none reached 37 league goals.

Farke and the hierarchy targeted players to keep Leeds in games through athleticism and steel as well as quality. He stressed they were footballers, not cloggers, and Stach exemplifies it, strong in duels yet productive in chance creation and scoring.

A rough spell in November brought one win in seven and heavy scrutiny. Trailing 2-0 at half-time at Manchester City, Farke switched to a back three and Leeds pushed them before a 3-2 defeat, then beat Chelsea and drew with Liverpool to start a seven-match unbeaten run. Farke resists calling that a major turning point.

Stach highlights how the squad and staff stayed aligned, arguing you learn if you are a good team when results dip, not when you are winning. He believes Leeds were in nearly every game, barring the Arsenal meetings, and that Farke should get credit.

The job is not finished, though Leeds would be safe without kicking a ball if Arsenal beat West Ham on Sunday. Whatever follows, the aim of being competitive and hard to beat has already been met.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk