Exclusive:'Got to try' - Leeds United urged to make formation change by Brian Deane ahead of Aston Villa clash
Leeds United have been urged to make a change to their formation by ex-Whites marksman Brian Deane.
Daniel Farke’s side are gearing up to face Aston Villa in what looks set to be an intriguing Sunday afternoon battle at Elland Road.
Villa will be heavily fancied to claim victory but Leeds need to start picking up points after four defeats across their last five games.
Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool await Leeds after their meeting with Villa, heightening the fixture’s importance.
Brian Deane suggests tactical tweak
Farke will have spent the international break looking for answers to his side’s problems and Deane believes the deployment of a front two could be one.
He told The Yorkshire Post: “Let’s strip it right back. Leeds United got promoted, they’re not going to be able to recruit like the rest of the clubs in the Premier League. One thing you’re going to have to do is compete with clubs with intensity in your in-game situations.
“For me, what Leeds should be looking to do is play two players up front. In the games that I’ve seen, all I’ve seen is that the opposition get the ball, they’ve got time to stroke it around, switch the play from side to side. You’ve got to try and play in behind the opposition and try and press. Try and play a workmanlike style of football just to get a foothold in the league.”
This season, Leeds have played a 4-3-3 with one forward leading the line and a winger on either side. More often than not, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been the focal point at the top of the pitch.
Deane said: “You’ve got pace in the wide areas with [Noah] Okafor and Dan James. It’s about getting back to basics. The crowd down at Elland Road will get behind the club if they think they’re competing. You have to make it physical.
“You play two threats in behind. Defenders do not like going back towards their own goal.”
Flexibility
Tactical flexibility has been a hot topic of discussion in the Premier League over recent years and if Leeds are to reverse their fortunes, Farke may have to display some.
Deane said: “I feel there’s too many clubs get caught in this situation of saying they have to play a certain brand of football. We’re talking about survival. Winning football is good football. You can adapt.
“You can’t buy the same players as other clubs, because they have a bit more history in the Premier League and that’s going to be more attractive to players in the first place. I think you’ve got to say ‘we need a different type of plan’.
“For me, they’ve got to try get in behind teams. What we’re doing now is overcomplicating the game. I felt Daniel Farke was a good person to have in - I’ve got no issue with any of that.
“I just think we have to be sensible about how we approach these games. It’s about coaching your players how to make transitions in game. The fact of the matter is, it’s about competing.”
Brian Deane was speaking to The Yorkshire Post via Casino Groups.