The Whites had one of their easiest days of the year against a lackluster home team that hardly gave Illan Meslier in the visitors’ goal any concern. Leeds may have won the match with a close-range goal from Patrick Bamford in minute thirteen, but late goals from Georginio Rutter and Daniel James made the score even more emphatic. In between each of the goals there were chances to throw further humiliation on a Bluebirds squad who were booed out at the interval, but the woodwork denied both James and Summerville, the latter smashing a second half penalty against the foot of Jak Alnwick’s post.
Farke was left in a state of despair. He declared, “It was our most mature performance of the entire season.” “We’ve had some incredible performances at home, but it’s always tough to travel to Cardif for an away game. They were looking at the top six before the game, so to be so in control—and to have kept a clean sheet for the third straight game—makes me delighted overall. We dominated the ball in just the right way and kept them completely silent while they had it. Could have, and definitely should have, scored a few more, but the victory was assured, and I was especially happy with the control.
Farke is pleased with how his fit and available defensive players have handled the added pressure of playing with Djed Spence and Luke Ayling gone and injuries to Pascal Struijk and Liam Cooper. “Many, many good individual performances,” he exclaimed. I have to tell my boys how much I appreciate them. I would never discuss this after a poor outcome, but given the current circumstances—a few departures and injuries—there isn’t a lot of competitiveness on the training field. We practiced for the entire week with 16 or 17, and we were forced to fly with everyone who was available and in good health. A few were forced to play in [a different] position; Ethan has a lot of experience playing center defensebut not for us in the last few months, and his performance has been exceptional. I enjoy the way of thinking. I chastised them for their last road games because we struggled to grind out a result despite setbacks, missed penalties, and red cards. We missed a few opportunities and a penalty today, but we were still focused and played with maturity and resiliency.
Just in time, Sam Byram returned from injury; Junior Firpo picked up a niggle late in the game and hobbled out. For a player who has been regaining confidence at left-back after recovering from prior fitness issues, Farke thinks it was a small concern. “It was a dead leg; he was hit in the first half and his problems increased as the game went on, but they weren’t too bad,” the manager stated. He seems to be improving every game, so I’m glad he received more playing time. He really looks good in our style. At full-back, defense must come first, even if you’re an offensive player. It’s critical that he develops in this area, which he is. Being rock solid was essential because they deal with a lot of crosses and set-pieces, so controlling the wide positions was critical. It was most likely his most composed performance to date.
