Leeds United lost at the Den for the second time this season, which was disappointing.
After witnessing Brenden Aaronson waste opportunities during Wednesday’s 1-0 loss at Millwall, Daniel Farke has told the American to focus on saving energy for Leeds United’s more crucial in-game moments.
At the Den, Aaronson was his team’s most important forward, buzzing around the attacking unit and making some neat passes in the process. When it counted most, however, the 24-year-old failed to provide his greatest moment, generating space in the Millwall box but directing his effort directly at keeper Lukas Jensen.
Aaronson is already enjoying his most successful season since leaving RB Salzburg for Leeds in 2022, having scored four goals so far (only Joel Piroe has five). However, an outstanding start to his Elland Road comeback has not been without frustrating last-third moments. Farke is also aware that his new No. 10 can get even better with a more methodical and effective strategy.
Farke remarked of Aaronson, “If you look at the workload, he was the hardest-working player on the pitch yesterday.” He was in a shooting position, which is what I sometimes criticise about him. I want my No. 10 to be there with a finish, pick one corner of the goal, and finish more neatly. We spoke at halftime that he overruns the wings and runs too much, and that he isn’t prepared for the crucial times.
“He feels that the positioning and style of football are different for teams that are a little more hectic, and this is done with good intentions.” He must channel it. He will be in a more focused position to play the last pass or finish if he relaxes in certain regions and circumstances. It is difficult to maintain composure when playing football with a heart rate of 200 beats per minute.
Farke decided to bench players like Wilfried Gnonto and Joe Rothwell in favour of Aaronson, who did enough to stay on the pitch until the end of the game. Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford were eventually added in a last-ditch effort to level the score after the latter was dropped for Manor Solomon, even lowering the American into a deeper role.
Leeds had plenty of attacking alternatives on the pitch, but as frustration mounted, they were unable to produce anything noteworthy in the closing minutes. Although Farke’s approach has been questioned at times, the 90-point total from the previous season shows how effective it is, and the German is not one to compromise on his values.
The Whites manager went on, “You have to stand by your convictions; you can’t be like a flag in the wind.” “Neither the ideals nor we are like that. You spend the entire season working on the game. You alter your entire behaviour only because one unfavourable outcome occurred. I was happy to observe our dominance. One team that travels to Millwall [and does it] is what I’d like to see. We just didn’t get a objective. I’m requesting that in order to demonstrate greater innovation, not to make any changes.
Leave a Reply