According to Phil Hay, Daniel Farke was “softer” on his Leeds United team at halftime of their 3-1 loss to Southampton.
According to The Athletic (1 October), Farke’s reaction at halftime was calmer than his reaction at halftime against Ipswich Town after they conceded a cheap goal late into stoppage time.
Leeds‘ six-game unbeaten run in the Championship came to an end against St Mary‘s, dropping the Whites to ninth in the table.
“When Farke‘s players began re-emerging from the tunnel at the start of the second half, they appeared in piecemeal fashion, almost as if individual [telling-offs] had been dished out and the team released one by one,” Hay wrote. Farke was fuming after Leeds surrendered late and softly in the first half at Ipswich Town in August, and that was a minor infringement in contrast. His tone was milder at St Mary’s.
“‘I would have thrown bottles and killed someone in 99 percent of all occasions as a manager, when you’re on such a wonderful run, four clean sheets in a row, and you go back at half-time 3-0 down,’ [Farke] remarked. ‘Today, it was more of a ‘no, let’s speak about how we flip the game’ attitude. ‘I spoke really quietly.'”
Calm
While the loss to Southampton was difficult for Farke to digest, he will not enter crisis mode just yet.
A loss to Southampton is not a disaster after such a fine run in the Championship and dramatically better performances since their early-season setback to Birmingham City. The Saints’ return to the second level has been difficult under Russell Martin, but the squad has potential, and many projected a recovery in form.
Hay‘s analysis reveals a lot about Farke as a manager, and Leeds‘ significantly improved second-half performance implies that the German’s attitude to the halftime team chat was for the best. Leeds looked a different team in the second half, posing a lot greater threat to the Saints. According to SofaScore, the Whites had more possession (53%) and more shots (15) than their opponent, but performed best in the second 45 minutes.
The Whites‘ 3-0 deficit proved too much to overcome, but Pascal Struijk‘s goal provided them a lifeline that ultimately proved futile. Farke‘s next significant test will be against Queens Park Rangers in midweek (4 October), which could serve as a litmus test to evaluate whether St Mary‘s performance was a blip or cause for concern.
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