Farke must drop Leeds dud after 2/10 display

Leeds United returned to the top of the Championship last night with a huge 1-0 win over play-off-chasing Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

Dan James’ goal after just two minutes secured all three points for Daniel Farke’s side, moving back to the summit after Sheffield United and Burnley both dropped points.

The scoreline could’ve been a lot better for the Whites, with Ao Tanaka and Patrick Bamford both having legitimate goals chalked off for wrongful offside calls.

Nevertheless, their chances of securing promotion back to the Premier League is back in their own hands, potentially ending their two-year absence from the top flight.

However, despite the victory in the North East, numerous players failed to live up to their high standards, putting their starting roles at risk over the next few weeks.

Leeds’ poor performers against Middlesbrough

Midfielder Brenden Aaronson was handed a recall to the starting eleven by Farke for the clash with Michael Carrick’s side but was unable to take advantage of the opportunity.

The American international featured for the vast majority of the contest but lost 10 duels – the most of any player from either side – whilst also only completing 60% of the passes he attempted.

He wasn’t the only one to disappoint, with Manor Solomon struggling to live up to his high standards despite registering the assist for James’ strike early on.

The Spurs loanee only managed to complete 40% of the crosses he attempted, whilst losing possession eight times, often looking wasteful – something which was rarely said a couple of months ago.

However, despite the showings of the aforementioned pair, one other player failed to deliver once again, with Farke desperately needing to drop him at the weekend.

The player who Farke needs to drop after Middlesbrough

Over the course of the season, Leeds have impressed in the final third, as seen by their tally of 80 goals in their 41 outings – albeit two fewer than they should have after the wrongful offside calls.

The likes of Solomon and James have both been responsible for such a tally, popping up in key moments, as seen by the latter’s 12th league of the campaign last night.

Joel Piroe has been the Whites’ starting striker for the majority of 2024/25 but has struggled as of late, with his failure to find the net against Boro extending his goalless run to seven matches.

His showing at the Riverside was one to forget, unable to make the desired impact, leading to his withdrawal in the 73rd minute, subsequently being replaced by Bamford – who certainly outperformed the Dutchman in his brief cameo.

The 25-year-old only managed a total of 26 touches during his display, also only completing 10 passes – leading to journalist Beren Cross dubbing his showing as “careless”.

He also only registered a single effort on goal, whilst missing a big chance and losing 64% of the duels he entered, being largely ineffective at the top end of the pitch.

His misery would’ve been compounded had substitute Bamford’s effort stood, with the Englishman putting pressure on the manager to hand him a rare start at the weekend.

As a result of his performance, Piroe was handed a measly 2/10 match rating by Football Insider’s Harri Burton – the lowest of any Whites player during the triumph.

After extending his goalless streak, it would be a surprise to see the former Swansea City man start against Preston on Saturday afternoon, with no mistakes expected given their promotion hopes are once again in their own hands.

Whilst Bamford has been a player largely touted with an exit, the upcoming clash provides him with an opportunity to stake his claim for a first-team role next season, pushing Piroe back down the pecking order.