Daniel Farke
Leeds United’s struggle in front of goal continued as they failed to score in their fourth consecutive Premier League match, raising concerns among fans. Despite this worrying trend, manager Daniel Farke remains optimistic about his team’s prospects. The team has not found the net in league play for a month, and their last goal from open play dates back to February 10. As Leeds prepare to face Manchester United and West Ham United, the need for goals becomes increasingly urgent.
Daniel Farke said: “I’m not alarmed. Over the course of 38 games, you have these experiences. I just would just judge this game in isolation, because Brentford had really, really a good defence of the area, you have to say.”
Brentford’s defensive setup, featuring five defenders, posed a significant challenge for Leeds. This was the first time Brentford employed such a formation since December, a move made necessary due to injuries, as explained by their boss, Keith Andrews. Leeds recorded their lowest expected goals (xG) of 0.55 since their match against Arsenal on January 31, highlighting a decline over the past four games.
Daniel Farke added: “We are very aware that we don’t have the individual quality where you have to expect your offensive players to beat a player and score a goal. But over the course of the season, I think we’ve proved that we have goals in us.”
The concern for Leeds is that Brentford may have set a blueprint for other teams to frustrate them. This was evident in their previous 1-0 loss to Sunderland, who also deployed a back five. On a positive note, goalkeeper Karl Darlow kept a second consecutive Premier League clean sheet since January 2018, although he acknowledged the team’s frustration.
Karl Darlow said: “It’s better than losing. I think sometimes you have these sort of runs, especially in the Premier League, we just need a scruffy one to go in and then we’re back on our way.”
As Leeds look ahead, they face crucial fixtures against Manchester United and West Ham United. A goal against the Hammers in the FA Cup could reignite their confidence. In the league, Farke has set a target of 38 points for survival, but he admits that they may need more.
Daniel Farke continued: “Right now, we have 33 points and we have to win five to seven. With 40 points, you definitely stay in this league. And this is why it’s a relegation ‘battle’. Relegation battles are battles. It’s not like an easy cruise to the promised land.”
Leeds United’s path to safety hinges on breaking their goal drought. Two wins could bring them to the brink of safety, but another goalless streak could jeopardize their Premier League status.
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