Until the end of November, things looked bleak for newly promoted Leeds United after a series of defeats left them languishing in the Premier League relegation zone, though there was one decision that changed everything.
At half-time at the Etihad Stadium, Leeds were 2-0 behind and looked down and out; their next two games were at home fixtures against Chelsea three days later and then Liverpool four days after that.
Daniel Farke then made a brave decision. He changed his struggling 4-3-3 system and implemented a 5-3-2/3-5-2 bringing on Lukas Nmecha and playing with two strikers.
It is a move, it seems, which has saved the club’s season. They looked a different team, pulled the game back to 2-2 and looked great value for a draw until Phil Foden scored an injury time winner. Though, Farke, it seemed, had found a system that not only worked, but exploited other teams.
After the club’s sensational 3-1 win over Chelsea and an incredible 3-3 draw against Liverpool, the whole Premier League began to wonder. Since, Farke has not looked back and Leeds are being well-backed to not only survive, but climb to mid-table. There was no doubt that this was a high-stakes, tactical gamble that paid off, much like hitting a big combo on the Elvis Frog Trueways slot game; risky at first, though incredibly rewarding once the momentum swings in your favour.
Why Leeds Are The Perfect FM Save And What You Should Do
As well as striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has proved many doubters wrong in prolific fashion, there have been a number of key players in this system, which if you are going to implement on your Leeds United save, you need to know about.
What has worked so well for Leeds over the course of this run of games is their players in wide positions; essentially wing-backs who can both defend and go forward. Each are high-energy and tenacious; Gabriel Gudmonsson on the left, with Jayden Bogle on the right. In reserve, you have the incredibly versatile James Justin, who can also fill in a centre-back. These should definitely be rotated, due to the high intensity approach that it is advised to set up with.
Brenden Aaronson has also been exceptional, essentially operating as a withdrawn striker/high energy number 10; he does not stop running, presses relentlessly, causes errors and knows where the goal is. Certainly against stronger teams, he is well-worth using in one of the two’s up front, while when playing weaker sides, he is perfectly capable on the right or left side of a central midfield three.
And then, there is Ethan Ampadu; you could pick any one of the centre-backs, who have been exceptional, but the Welshman is effectively the “glue”. His efficiency, work-rate, ball distribution and defending are top-class and Farke in this system has essentially turned him into a £70 million player.
Assigning him in the deep-lying playmaker role (because he can pick a great pass) should be highly effective.
Results Should Come
While it may take a while for your players on the game to learn this system, Farke has proved that they are capable of doing so; patience is key because in the end, it is worth it.
In this system, Leeds have played some great football; in many ways it is similar to Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp when they won the Premier League and Champions League, though with Farke’s own spin on it.
Assigning Anton Stach to take direct free-kicks and corners, with Ampadu on long throws should also yield some bonus goals, while both Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha have proved that they can take a penalty.
Noah Okafor and Wilfried Gnonto make effective and nifty attacking options off the bench, while Dan James can offer pace in behind late on when a change is needed and teams can be stretched. All in all, this is a save that might just surprise you, if you get it right!
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