Nafisa
It was another poor showing from Daniel Farke and Leeds United this afternoon. The Whites were dominated by Nottingham Forest in a 3-1 defeat at the City Ground.
Now, Leeds go into the international break just one point above the relegation zone. The manager and the players knew they had to step up after their recent poor run of form; three losses in their last four games before taking on Forest. Sean Dyche’s side needed a win to kickstart their season.
And it almost looked like Leeds would get a result on Sunday as Lukas Nmecha put the Whites in the front. The striker was starting over Dominic Calvert-Lewin who had been benched due to an injury. Forest equalized just two minutes later and never looked back.
They added two more goals in the second half to cap off a huge 3-1 win over the visitors, who were poor for much of the game.
Daniel Farke fails Leeds United once again
In the first few minutes of the game it was obvious to see what would go on for 90 minutes. Leeds allowed Forest to dominate in attacking areas for large parts of the game, registering 10 shots to Leeds 1 in the first half. The Whites failed to create a big chance against Sean Dyche’s men and only had three shots on target the whole game.
The team selection was also another failure on Farke’s part as he continues to select Brenden Aaronson out wide. The American had an assist but was invisible for the most part of the game as Leeds again attacked any sort of creativity, barring a few glimpses from Noah Okafor. Farke’s men were panicking in the second half, and made all five substitutions in the space of eight minutes. It was poetic that Jack Harrison was guilty for the penalty that sealed the game for Forest, with the home side’s subs changing the game.
Brendan Rodgers tipped to take over hot seat
The international break gives Leeds over a week to think things through when it comes to their manager. Former Liverpool and Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers seems to be the favourite in the running, with many tipping him to be the next Leeds boss. He is currently the hot favourite with the bookies and is believed to be keen for a return to the Premier League.
Rodgers left Celtic last month and has not managed in the Premier League since he was at Leicester in 2023. The Norther Irishman guided the Foxes to an FA Cup in 2021, but left two years later by mutual consent. His attacking style of football and Premier League experience are likely to be an attractive proposition for Leeds, who won’t be overrun with standout candidates should they sack Farke.
It appears that the German’s exit is now a case of when not if, with fans now unable to tolerate the lack of ideas and tactics during games. Prior to the defeats at Brighton and Forest, Leeds were perhaps unlucky to not be sitting on more points, but the last two games have highlighted the teams lack of quality and Farke’s inability to adjust his in-game tactics when the tide is against him.
In a nutshell Leeds have looked like relegation fodder in the last two games and have been dominated by teams in the bottom half of the table. The Whites now face a run of games against the league’s best teams, and it seems more likely that not that they will finish this month with the same points tally as they started it.
Leeds look destined to be in the relegation zone heading into the festive period no matter who is in charge, but there is a feeling among supporters that the club stand a much better chance of picking up points and surviving this season with an alternative manager to Farke – whether that is Rodgers we will have to wait and see.
Nafisa
Mustapha Sheidu