”Trust” - Gus Poyet issues response to Leeds United supporters over Daniel Farke criticism | OneFootball

FLW spoke exclusively to Gus Poyet regarding Leeds United and Daniel Farke amid fan criticism.

Gus Poyet has urged Leeds United supporters to place their trust in Daniel Farke amid criticism in the Leeds chief's decision to persist with particular selection choices.

Since relegation in 2023, promotion has been the aim every season for Farke's side; 90 points were not enough to secure their top-flight status last term, meaning the club had to embark on a first play-off campaign since 2019.

Defeat to Southampton was always likely to have lasting consequences, albeit the German retained his job with Leeds. He has since had to make many tough calls as manager through the summer window, especially after the departures of Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, Archie Gray, and Glen Kamara from his first-team squad.

Even with such key players of last season's efforts departing, Leeds fans will have optimism that they have the required depth and quality in their ranks to mount another promotion push by the time the window closed. But the losses to Middlesbrough and Burnley has meant doubt has grown among the fanbase regarding Farke.

In part, that is because results at the back end of the season saw him come under some scrutiny from certain sections of the fanbase, having failed to pip Ipswich Town to second from a strong position. That hasn't been helped by some of the performances this season, either. Leeds have been accused of looking pedestrian and laboured in possession by some fans.

Farke was allowed to help oversee things and played a key role in recruitment this summer, but pressure has built even further this year on gaining promotion to an even greater extent this term than last season.

Gus Poyet defends Daniel Farke decisions

Leeds supporters have been particularly unimpressed when they have struggled against teams compacting the middle of the pitch or sitting deep in a low block, and solutions to that problem have been few and far between. One of the areas that could help to generate more chances would be to play just one of Ilia Gruev or Ethan Ampadu next to one of either Joe Rothwell or Ao Tanaka.

The latter two are more progressive with their passing and have more of a creative spark from the base of midfield. We asked Gus Poyet for his thoughts on the situation, with many Leeds fans keen to see their new signings pick up more minutes as starting players.

His decision to go with defensive-minded duo Ampadu and Gruev in every game has been frustrating parts of the Elland Road faithful. Speaking to Football League World via William Hill, Poyet said: “You have to trust the manager.

“He has lost Archie Gray and other top players who were key to last year's campaign.

“They need a solid base to be able to improve on results and this is his chosen way.

“I am sure they will get it right and be challenging come the end of the season.”

Daniel Farke and trusting the process at Leeds United

Leeds have lost some of their best players this summer but, in theory, continuity with a manager and a squad which still remains strong, and a two-time winner of the Championship at the helm could be of huge benefit to Leeds in the long run.

Due to Leeds still boasting one of the strongest squads in the second-tier this season, there is always going to be pressure on a manager if he fails to get a side of such quality in the Premier League at the second time of asking.

There are no excuses this season to get things right, and Leeds fans are rational in thinking a metronome like Tanaka may help to improve their tempo and break opponents down, where Gruev and Ampadu are not specialists at doing so.

Poyet's call for some patience is also fair, especially just a few games into the season. Some of the new signings are only just getting their feet under the table but will start to make more of an impact in time.