The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Monday 22nd December) Set piece coaching pays dividends as Leeds run riot against Palace
Good Morning. It's Monday 22nd December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Set piece coaching paying dividends
Daniel Farke’s recent revival has felt nothing short of miraculous. Just five games ago, the German coach looked destined for the managerial scrap heap; fast-forward to now, and you’d be forgiven for nominating him as the inaugural winner of a Nobel Prize in Football Management (if such an accolade existed). His latest tactical masterstroke, a switch to a 4-2-1-3 formation against Crystal Palace, had Joe Rodon deputising at right-back and Sam Bogle drifting in from the right of the front three, and it paid instant dividends. Leeds not only secured three valuable points but showcased a newfound ruthlessness among his players
In fact, only Manchester City (12 points), Aston Villa (9) and Arsenal (9) have amassed more points in December than Leeds (8), and it is no coincidence that set-piece excellence lies at the heart of this resurgence. All four of Leeds’s goals sprang from set-piece situations a striking turnaround, given how set pieces have been such a glaring weakness in recent seasons. What makes the story even richer is that Leeds remain one of just three Premier League outfits without a dedicated set-piece coach. Instead, Farke has entrusted long-time ally Edmund Riemer with polishing routines in training, and the results have been spectacular: 12 goals from set plays so far, more than any top-flight side this term, with traditional giants Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal trailing on ten apiece.
The weekend also saw another piece of history, as Anton Stach became the first Leeds player since Ian Harte in 2002–03 to bag two or more direct free-kicks in a single Premier League season. It’s this sort of individual flair married to collective resolve that has put smiles back on Elland Road and silenced the doubters. In just five matches, Farke has transformed a team in freefall into one that feels tactically flexible, defensively solid and offensively potent. If football management were ever recognized alongside chemistry or economics, Daniel Farke might already be drafting his acceptance speech. For now, though, he’ll settle for more points on the board, as Leeds pull further away from the drop zone.
Ampadu - Still plenty of work to do
Leeds United skipper Ethan Ampadu was all smiles after his side’s comprehensive 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday night, not just because of three priceless points, but because he’d finally opened his Premier League account. Making his 93rd league appearance for the Whites, Amps admitted he’d been counting the games for a while. “I don’t think one goal suddenly puts me in the goalscorers’ lounge,” he laughed after the match, “but after hitting so many over the bar, I definitely feel I’ve owed a few.”
The breakthrough came midway through the second half, with Leeds already two goals to the good. A cleared Anton Stach corner fell kindly to Brenden Aaronson, whose header back into the box was expertly controlled by Ampadu. With defender-like focus and a striker’s instinct, the midfielder stabbed the loose ball past Dean Henderson and into the corner of the net. Wild celebrations ensued as the home crowd rose to applaud both a fine team performance and an overdue personal milestone.
“That moment felt special,” Ampadu reflected on LUTV. “Anton always puts the ball on the money (Stach's corner), and for once I didn’t overthink it. I just reacted and thankfully it went in.” Even so, the captain was eager to temper his delight with a dose of humility. “I’m glad I stayed in the box, but I still owe a lot because of the number of times I’ve missed chances. I don’t think one goal makes me a natural goalscorer. There’s still plenty of work to do.”
More than his personal glory, however, the Welshman was keen to highlight a bigger takeaway from the day: a Leeds side rediscovering the trademark spirit and togetherness that fans demand. After a rough patch of three or four defeats in quick succession, Saturday’s thrashing of Palace was the perfect response. “Since those tough results, we’ve made it our mission to strike back,” Ampadu said. “We showed the fighting spirit and character that’s required to play for Leeds United. Keeping the momentum going has been a real joy.”
For Ampadu, Saturday will live long in the memory, both for that first precious Premier League goal and for what it symbolised. Beyond the numbers and the celebrations, it was a statement of intent from a club determined to fight its way back up the table. “We’ve shown togetherness, hunger and resilience,” he said, eyes shining. “That’s the Leeds United way. We know what’s required here, and we plan to keep delivering it, one win at a time.”
Manchester City plot Gray capture
Manchester City’s talent-spotters have reportedly set their sights on hotshot striker, Harry Gray, with a jaw-dropping £40 million valuation doing the rounds. Gray, who only signed his first professional contract at Elland Road earlier this season, had seemed settled after putting to bed swirling transfer links. Yet the sheer scale of City’s interest has reignited speculation that the winger-turned-forward could be on the move sooner rather than later.
Gray has quickly earned a reputation as perhaps the brightest prospect at Thorp Arch, where youth coaches rave about his sharp movement, clinical finishing and composure beyond his years. Tottenham Hotspur, keen to lock down homegrown talent, have also been linked with a swoop. Their interest is understandable: Only 18 months ago, they forked out close to £40m for Harry’s older brother, Archie, in a long-term project that, so far, hasn’t quite paid off. Archie has struggled for form and opportunities in North London this campaign, his WhoScored rating sits last in the squad at just 6.18.
That context raises a key question: how much is Harry actually worth? Strikers who come up through an academy can command a hefty premium, especially under the Premier League’s homegrown quota rules. But let’s not forget that Harry Gray has yet to kick a ball in a top-flight fixture. He’s a star of the future, not a proven difference-maker on the pitch, something Leeds’ hierarchy will be painfully aware of. On paper, Manchester City have money to burn and arguably no shortage of talent in their ranks. In reality, Leeds will want to balance ambition and pragmatism.
Pushing for the full £40m seems very optimistic; a more realistic figure might sit closer to £25m. That kind of cash injection in January could be transformative for a club eager to reinforce key areas and stave off relegation worries. Whether City will pull the trigger or if Harry Gray remains at Elland Road will depend on his form. But one thing’s certain: the teenager’s stock has never been higher, but Leeds know precisely how rapidly that can change!