Irked Farke hits back at Leeds United critics with a break with tradition few expected

At the moment, Daniel Farke appeared angry at any suggestion that his Leeds United tactics might be predictable. Ahead of Sunday’s first leg, the manager was asked how he ensures his side’s approach is not easily predictable for Norwich City.

“We were never predictable during the season,” he said. “We always have a different option and we’ve also played different starting line-ups, but the principles are more or less always the same.”

Sunday’s selection almost looked like Farke was proving his point. Archie Gray was certainly not predicted to start as the team’s attacking midfielder behind Georginio Rutter.

READ MORE: Leeds United’s Georginio Rutter suggestion dares David Wagner to blink at Norwich City tactics

Gray’s recall was not a surprise, but right-back or central midfielder had been the expectation. The teenager played as an advanced playmaker with great success in the under-21s, but did not start in that role again with the first team.

Stamford Bridge saw Gray at his most fascinating this season when he contested the FA Cup tie at Chelsea from a deeper midfield position. We know he has the drive, anticipation, hunger, vision, touch, passing and approach to cover all those bases on the backbone of the team.

Still, Rutter has been stagnant as the team’s offensive creator since the start of the year, and Farke hasn’t had to consider an alternative until recently. A stream of assists and some goals have always made the Frenchman an integral part of this Leeds team, but even Farke could no longer ignore what had happened since Rutter’s hernia operation.

Not only has Rutter failed to score or assist since his international break stint, but Joel Piroe has consistently disappointed at the top of the attack in Farke’s system. Introducing Gray to swap Rutter and Piroe showed a degree of flexibility we haven’t always seen from the German.

If Patrick Bamford wasn’t available, it was basically always Piroe, rain or shine, since the start of the year. Mateo Joseph has not had a try in league games despite his obvious purple stain and the struggles of his older teammates.

Rutter’s offensive production didn’t make his selection a debate until recently, but going with Gray over Piroe, the regular understudy and at No.10, was a clear departure from the norm. It was a nod, perhaps, to the knockout nature of what Farke must now turn his hand to.

Leeds needed to be firmer and more solid in Norfolk, closing down those channels through the center that had recently been flattened by their opponents. Went. The 4-2-3-1 we’ve seen throughout the year has had the ability to drop into a 4-3-3 when needed. Could we still see similar calls from the left on Thursday night?