The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Monday 20th October)

Good Morning. It's Monday 20th October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road

Just not good enough

Leeds United’s trip to Burnley ended in bitter disappointment, as Daniel Farke’s side slumped to another damaging defeat. In what had been billed as a must-not-lose encounter, the unthinkable became reality for the visitors. Leeds, who had appeared to be gathering momentum before the international break, looked disjointed and fragile at both ends of the pitch. Their defensive cohesion evaporated, while their attack had no end product.

For Farke, this latest setback will only intensify scrutiny over his tenure, with Friday night’s looming fixture against West Ham at Elland Road being touted as a defining moment in his tenure. To make matters worse, injuries to Noah Okafor and Willy Gnonto, alongside Daniel James’s incomplete recovery, forced the manager to deploy Brenden Aaronson, alongside Jack Harrison as makeshift wingers. The pair offered work rate but little in the way of invention.

Although Leeds dominated possession, the pattern of play was sterile. There was no incision, no spark to unsettle Burnley’s shape. Parker’s side looked sharper and more purposeful, making the most of their opportunities. Their breakthrough came midway through the first half, born of a swift, incisive move down the right flank. Kyle Walker’s overlapping run and clever interplay unpicked the Leeds defence, allowing Lesley Ugochukwu a free header. It was a goal that encapsulated Burnley’s efficiency and Leeds’ fragility.

The visitors rallied briefly before the interval, with Aaronson coming close to an equaliser when his deflected effort was superbly tipped onto the post by Martin Dubravka. Yet that flash of defiance proved fleeting. The second half saw Leeds grow increasingly desperate, their one-paced build-up repeatedly stifled by Burnley’s disciplined back line. The contest was effectively settled when France Under-21 winger Wilson Odobert Tchaouna unleashed a ferocious strike from distance, doubling the hosts’ lead and crushing any lingering hopes of a comeback.

By the final whistle, Leeds’ possession statistics counted for little. Burnley had executed their game plan with clarity and conviction, while Leeds looked like a side bereft of confidence and ideas. It was a result that left Farke facing tough questions and Leeds supporters fearing that their campaign was beginning to unravel. In truth, this match had all the hallmarks of a Championship fixture: frenetic, error-strewn, and ultimately decided by the team that simply wanted it more.

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One win in 8 - something has to give

Things aren’t looking promising for Daniel Farke right now. The defeat to Burnley—a side tipped by most to finish rock bottom of the Premier League—felt less like a stumble and more like a cry for help. The pressure is mounting, not just on Farke, but also on the 49ers, whose patience must be wearing thin. Friday night’s clash with West Ham could well be his final audition; anything short of a win will surely end his Elland Road tenure.

Yet, amid the growing frustration, it’s worth asking—has Farke truly been given a fair chance? Over the summer, the backing he received in the transfer market was modest at best, with several key targets reportedly missed. His wishlist of reinforcements never materialised, leaving him to patch holes in a squad that still bears the scars of last season’s Championship battle. Expecting a radical turnaround without substantial investment feels optimistic, if not outright unrealistic.

Still, excuses only go so far. Farke’s critics argue that his own rigidity has contributed to Leeds downfall. His reluctance to appoint a dedicated set-piece coach has left the team blunt in attack and vulnerable at the back, with goals from dead-ball situations proving rare—and costly in reverse. Add to that his loyalty to underperforming players and a seeming unwillingness to adapt tactically, and one can see why murmurs of discontent have grown louder among the Elland Road faithful.

With just one win in their last eight matches across all competitions, Leeds find themselves drifting aimlessly toward another crisis point. Something has to give, and in modern football, that “something” is almost always the manager whether fair or not. Farke may argue that he’s been fighting with one hand tied behind his back, but football clubs seldom wait for context when results dry up. Unless Leeds can summon a result against the Hammers, the 49ers will surely be left with not choice but to end Daniel Farke's 27 month tenure.

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Those possession stats are only highlighting our pointless tactics of sideways and backwards play. Kyle Walker had a great game for Burnley against Harrison who never troubled him. Gudmundson however fared better but even he was stopped by Walker and Walker caused us damage for both goals. Embarrassing performance and although most say wait until 10 games is up outside of this platform the cries of sack him are taking hold. For me he has to make changes and hope he gets Gnonto, Okafor and James back fully fit. The owners did this to Farke but his tactics don’t work in this league

 

Possession stats are pointless except for forward passes. Who were our target men in those 40+ crosses into the box - DCL, DCL and DCL? Or are we relying on our huge defenders too much? A set piece coach can at least help with those too.

 

Morning all. So Farke has to go. Should be a busy week so. Based on performances in recent weeks, Rodgers has to be sacked at Celtic and after four successive defeats Snot must be facing the axe at Liverpool. Give your heads a shake, this situation is down to our inept owners and refusal to strengthen attacking areas of the field. They were warned. This is exactly how the remaining 30 or so games will pan out as we wont score goals, Dan James and Willy are not pl standard. If we survive, it will be by some strokes of luck. Now of course you can start dreaming of some world class signings in January like Sniffer does and that'll get you another couple of months of false optimism. However after looking at our upcoming fixtures after next three games we'll be lucky to win one of those eight either. You were warned. By the way, who's enjoying life in the top flight

 

3 games v Burnley...no goals
Burnley 3 games v us no defeats
those are the stats

 

Some tough questions there but I can answer the final one - you. There’s nothing like being proved right, is there?

did I mention lose at Burnley and we’re doooooomed?

Also, as an older member, there’s a great feeling of tradition about this. When I first started taking an interest in Leeds, they were known as a ‘Yo-Yo team’ due to frequent league oscillations. The Revie team ruined that tradition but it’s one we can take back now. The futures bright.

 

Thanks for clarifying with line 2, couldn't work it out from line 1

 

As Olof pointed out Saturday though, we will be champions again in 20 months. Can't wait, open top buses and a summer of celebrating

 

It’s ok calling for Farkes head but who do we have on our shortlist because if the transfer window was anything to go by …. Looking at the problems they caused up at Rangers and looking at fatty Marinakis at Forest it’s a shytshow. How can you go from Nuno to Ange and then try for Mancini, who turned them down and then dive straight in for Dyche? Dyche and Mancini ffs sake ….. we now have to hope Nuno hasn’t had time to sort out WHU by Friday

 

See how they get on tonight. Wouldn't mind a draw

 

Brentford won’t go down, I want them to win tonight, we are so useless our only hope is for the bottom 3 to be even worse.

 

Good morning..

I'm stuck in A&E this morning

 

Hope everything is ok pal

 

Good morning all

Lose to West Ham and I will be fearing the worst. It's not looking great at the moment and so many questions and debates to be had on the subject has Farke been backed enough.

The only fact we have is that we spent £113m on new players - Farke obviously had a say in those transfers, we only sold £8m worth of players all of whom Farke did not want.

If Farke was promised more then no he wasn't backed. If he was told the pot is around £113m so spend it wisely then yes he has been backed and the board are probably livid that two £18m signings were sitting on the bench, one of which is never used

Hope nothing too serious mate, I can think of better places to be sitting!!

 

Hopefully you’ll be out soon and ok

 

Thanks guys

Tbh I think my wife is being dramatic and has dragged up here. It's a bit of foot pain

 

Fingers crossed. My experience of A&E is wondering whether I have to add malnutrition to the ailment list as you're there so long.

 

Pinders?

 

Dewsbury... It's meant to be quicker than Pinders. Been stuck here for an hour now

 

49ers taking a kicking, Greta Steinsson also and what did he do for Leeds in our window?