The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 4th December)

Good Morning. It's Thursday 4th December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road

Leeds deliver statement win over Chelsea

Elland Road roared back to life on a memorable night for Leeds United as Daniel Farke’s team earned a resounding 3-1 victory over Chelsea in the Premier League. The atmosphere was electric, with supporters witnessing a performance steeped in discipline, grit, and opportunistic attacking play. In his post-match interview with BBC’s Match of the Day, Farke expressed the significance of the occasion: “For nights like this, we were so desperate to bring the club back to the top level. Elland Road was back to its best.”

From the outset, Leeds executed their game plan with precision. Chelsea dominated possession, as expected, but Leeds were unyielding in defence, allowing virtually no clear-cut chances in the first half. This defensive organisation, Farke emphasised, was the cornerstone of the win: “The key today was to return to our best behaviours in terms of defending… reduce Chelsea to little, they didn’t have one proper chance in the first half.”

When Chelsea pulled a goal back in the second half, Leeds maintained composure and resisted any momentum shift. Farke’s strategy centred on pragmatic adaptability, acknowledging that as a newly promoted side, Leeds must sometimes prioritise disrupting the opponent’s strengths over imposing their own style. “I’m not married to a formation,” he explained, “but married to principles… it’s important to be unpredictable and adapt to different scenarios.”

The tactical discipline paid off. Despite having just 28.6% possession, their lowest share in a league win since beating Reading in 2016 with 23.2%, Leeds created enough quality chances to secure the victory. Their set-piece threat, direct transitional play, and strong pressing in key moments proved decisive.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, speaking to Sky Sports after the match, highlighted the attacking intent and connection with the fans: “Today it all came together, more forward, dynamic, and on the front foot… my job is scoring goals, so that’s the best way I can repay them.” His goal was a testament to Leeds’ commitment to exploiting Chelsea’s defensive vulnerabilities when opportunities arose.

This result sends a clear message; Leeds can match up against the division’s elite through tactical organisation, disciplined defending, and ruthless efficiency in attack. For Farke, it’s proof that principles matter more than possession, and that flexibility is the hallmark of survival and ambition in England’s top tier.

FARKE "To win the game in this manner, deserved by chances, expected goals, goals, shots on target, set pieces. Of course they had more possession, I would have liked to have controlled the game a bit more, but overall a well deserved win, complements to the lads.

"The key today was to return to our best behaviours in terms of defending, in our last games we didn't give much away. For us it was crucial to reduce Chelsea to little, they didn't have one proper chance in the first half.

"After they scored it was important not to allow any more chances. The key was to be rock solid at the back. As a side that dominated and won the title [last season] I would rather stick to a base formation and give a bit more consistency and safety in the processes, but it's fair to say we are not the side with the highest quality in this league, we have to accept this.

"As a promoted side you have to concentrate to take the strength of the opponent away, mirror the opponent, play more pragmatic. I want to play more direct like we used to, but if you are promoted you have to be flexible and adapt to the opponent. I'm not married to a formation, but married to principles. I want to see the same principles on the pitch. It's important for the future for us to be unpredictable and adapt to different scenarios."

CALVERT-LEWIN: "You look at the performances we've put in over the course of the season, sometimes we've deserved more. Today it all came together, more forward, dynamic and on the front foot. Knowing we were at home we knew we had to start the game like that. It's always good when a plan comes together.

"I realised straight away the passion of the fans and what it [playing Chelsea] means to them. You feel that straight away. My job is soring goal so that's the best way I can repay them and for the support they've give me since joining the football club."

please log in to view this image

Had Farke done enough to save his job

The question of Daniel Farke’s future at Leeds United has loomed large in recent weeks, with the German manager enduring a torrid run of six defeats in seven games. Yet, throughout this slump, Leeds’ players never stopped running for their under-fire boss. The commitment was there; what was missing was a system capable of unlocking their potential. That breakthrough appeared to arrive — almost by accident — at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium. Trailing 2-0 at half-time, Farke switched to a 5-3-2 formation, partly forced by injuries and circumstance.

While Leeds eventually lost 3-2, the performance stripped away the fog of the previous two months, offering a glimpse of a more resilient and balanced side. When Chelsea arrived at Elland Road, the question was whether Farke would stick or twist. He resisted the temptation to revert to his preferred 4-3-3 and instead doubled down on the 5-3-2 setup. The decision proved pivotal. Against the Club World Cup champions, unbeaten in 12 matches, Leeds looked organised, combative, and tactically disciplined.

Chelsea dominated possession, as expected, but their cutting edge was blunted. For all the visitors’ ball retention, clear chances were in short supply, and the atmosphere around the ground shifted from anxious to quietly confident that Leeds could weather the storm. There is however frustration among sections of the Elland Road faithful that it took an enforced tactical change for Farke to find a formula that works. This wasn’t an innovation born of deep tactical epiphany; it was a solution stumbled upon during the half time break at the Etihad. Leeds were 2-0 down, and Dan James was unable to continue.

The only (sensible) option was to bring DCL into the equation, and switch to 3/5/2. We all recognise the hallmarks of a newly promoted top flight outfit: a physically imposing, hard-running side making full use of its athleticism and aerial presence, compensating for a relative lack of technical flair; its not rocket science!!!
Whether this is a turning point for Farke or merely a temporary reprieve remains to be seen. The Premier League is unforgiving, and tactical solutions that work once can quickly be countered. Still, what matters most is that Farke has found a setup that plays to the strengths of his squad and re-energised his players, the fanbase and his bosses in Santa Clara, California.

please log in to view this image

 

Who will rid us of this troublesome priest?

 

Morning all

Farke has probably saved his immediate future with the last two performances and given the 49ers a major headache.

For the record, I don't think we can attract better and I think we should keep him for now.

Expressing my concerns for debate and trying not to be accused of being a Farke hater.

So many fans were calling for 5-3-2 earlier in the season, why has it taken Farke until now to try it out. We spent money on Okafor, we wanted the Fulham left winger on the final day, we already had James, Gnonto and Harrison, we are light with wing backs, I'm sure the 5-3-2 wasn't in Farkes mind at the beginning of the season.

A couple of seasons ago he took too long in realising Rutter and Piroes best position, last season he could have cost us taking too long to drop Meslier, it felt like the 5-3-2 switch was the last roll of the dice rather than tactical genius.

Credit due though, he has had us performing well for half of the City game and yesterday. Liverpool will know we are going to turn out 5-3-2 against them, it will be interesting to see if they have an answer for that

 

What an absolute buzz. Woke up this morning with the goals running through my head.

Have to say Bijol's goal was absolutely immense, the way he launched himself at the ball and got so much power and direction behind the header that nobody would have stopped that one. Tanaka....another cracker of a goal having had a practise shot earlier that dribbled wide. Nmechia's offside goal was so well taken and he almost volleyed another in.

Now I'm not one to get carried away, there is so much to be done but they have proved they can do it.....oh **** it....can't resist....

https://www.google.com/search?gs_ss...ate=ive&vld=cid:4b0d0e6a,vid:ZEWkZb11pss,st:0

 

We are indeed on the move. Thats 5 goals from 1 1/2 games since the change in formation.

 

IM not getting carried away. but, we have chomped on the bit. can see a togetherness in the team and a bit confidence back.
People say its a bad time to play the scousers a wounded animal. I think its the perfect time If we can beat Chelsea we can beat them.
What a buzz it would to have back to back wins against two champions.league regulars.

 

[QUOTE="Normanbitmyleg70, post: 18816785, member: 1013271"https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tVP1zc0TEmrNDArM8kxYPQST8zMK1HIy1coLskvKMjMS1coLQZyywH9kA1J&q=aint no stopping us now&oq=aint no stopping us&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgBEC4YgAQyCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyBwgBEC4YgAQyBggCEEUYOTIJCAMQLhgKGIAEMgcIBBAAGIAEMgkIBRAAGAoYgAQyCQgGEAAYChiABDIJCAcQABgKGIAEMgkICBAAGAoYgAQyBwgJEAAYgATSAQg4NjM1ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:4b0d0e6a,vid:ZEWkZb11pss,st:0[/QUOTE]

That is so gash.............but I like it.

 

Agree it wasn't on his mind, we'd have tried it pre season. We'd also need more target men for subs/injuries if we played two up top.

There's a lot of talk about changing the system earlier. Clearly if you look at the last game and a half you can see why people think it should have been done earlier.

I accept the above as legitimate comment and i accept the point about being slow to change... keepers etc. My counter would be, we were competitive in almost every game... 433 had us deserving of probably 5-6 more points. Whether that's eye test, expected points, chances created, touches in the opposition box etc.

You can argue whose fault it is that we didn't get them is, but the system was making us competitive. In the cirumstances I could see why he felt we were really close to being a midtable side. He was the 4th out of 5 managers we had who played Meslier for too long. He openly said he didn't think you should change keepers unless you really had to, and its clear he feels the same about his footballing philosophy. Strong willed and believes in his way of playing... or a stubborn fool. Fine line sometimes. His post match interview made it clear he'd rather be playing possession football BUT, he did recognise that we needed to stay in games and were leaking too many goals down our left - that's why he changed. Turns out that these fancy dan high pressing glamour boys don't like it up em. Whether it works against Everton or Brentford is another matter. Whether we'd have more points playing 3 at the back all season is again open to debate. What matters is it worked last night and let's hope he gets the right set up for the right opposition going forward.

 

Another point that doesn't get much of a mention is the quality of Stachs corners. His delivery is lethal and we now look capable of scoring every time we win a corner

 

who needs a set piece coach

 

Just need a coach who picks his 6' 3" and 6' 4" players and instructs them to pack the box

 

Quick question for the tactical geniuses amongst you out there. Are we playing a 3-5-2 or a 5-3-2. Both have been referred to?

 

5-3-2

If we were playing 3 -5-2 then we would be playing with a right and left sided
midfielder, as opposed to defenders/wing backs

 

**** these midweek games im too old for a hangover on a school day.

Bloody worth it though

 

How many of our players get into Chelsea’s squad, not many if anyone at all. So you can see 2 things from last night: 1 the players were up for it, they seem energised with the new system and are playing for their manager. 2 we rode our luck last night and got away with it as they were playing us off the park but the organisation and concentration was great and we deserved the win.

DF just needs to carry on doing what he’s done over the last game and a half and his job is bound to be safe. If we can do the scousers Arne Slot will be sacked and DF could become a thing…..

 

the next Liverpool manager!

 

I wish.

 

As much as we deserved the win last night, Chelsea exposed the '3 at the back' fairly often. This is a more tactical breakdown rather than a criticism. We should certainly continue with this formation until we are figured out. It won't take long.

Im not a fan of the '3 at the back' although I admit that it is catching sides out at the moment. First 10 minutes last night was it working really well. Chelsea soon realised that they didn't really need full backs when in possession so pushed Cucurella pretty much in to the 10 role. That pushed our midfield further back and allowed them to squeeze in to our half and that's why they had so much possession. We defended it really well.

2nd half they put Neto on and told him to hug the right touchline, they told Gittens (and then Garnacho) to do the same on the left. That effectively made the pitch bigger giving them more space to play and to split our centre halves over the full width of the pitch. They then had runners running the channels and through the centre from midfield. An example was the Delap shot that hit the side netting, he had acres of space to run in behind. Chelsea's movement was very good. I was at the game and there were 4 or 5 times that they had a very simple ball through and they would have been 1 v1 with Perri but the pass never came. The Chelsea runners were furious at those behind them for not finding the pass.

The centre halves eventually tightened up to the middle of the pitch but that meant Bogle and Gudmundsson sat a bit deeper and then Chelsea went wide to get Gittens/Garnacho 1 v 1 vs Bogle and they had great success from it. Examples are the goal and also the Palmer chance that he put wide. We ended up sitting deeper and deeper but defended the area very very well to see out the 3 points.

I think the biggest change is that we are less bothered about possession and more inclined to go long and feed off the knock downs. Yes the three at the back has helped but the real epiphany is that we are a tall and physical side and we are trying to make that an advantage. I've said it for years that the way to beat the high press is to go over it and play up their end.

"Long", may it continue.