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Daniel Farke casts 'naïve' verdict on Leeds United star amid Largie Ramazani problem

Daniel Farke remains unbeaten in six matches versus Norwich
-Credit:MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images


Leeds United went back to the top of the Championship table with Wednesday’s comfortable 2-0 win over Norwich City.

Goals from Manor Solomon and Daniel James were enough to see the Whites secure their 10th straight Championship win, with the club now on three-game winning run. Solomon now has two goals and two assists in his last three matches while James took his goal contributions for the season up to 11.

United's attentions will now turn to Monday’s huge promotion clash at Burnley, who sit three points behind the league leaders. But here is what Daniel Farke can take from the midweek clash.

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Full-back power

Jayden Bogle had a terrific game, going in both directions. The right-back threaded no end of through balls forward and snuffed out each attack he faced.

Sam Byram put in a customary solid showing and was careful to plot his advances up the left when the risk of the hole left behind was minimal. It’s easy to forget he is playing on the opposite side to his natural position.

He was replaced by Junior Firpo not long into the second half. Firpo made a telling impact on the game and it was his initial looped cross that caused the havoc that eventually led to the second goal. Leeds are blessed with full-back options right now.

Lucky Tanaka

Ao Tanaka was fortunate not to receive a yellow card early in the second half when he chopped down Emiliano Marcondes while already on a yellow card. The referee played advantage and did not hand the midfielder a second caution, instead just a lengthy telling off.

It was no surprise to see Farke bring him off just a few moments later. Tanaka has been brilliant in recent weeks and to have lost him for Monday’s game for Burnley would have been a blow.

No doubt Tanaka would have learned his lesson and instead of a negative for Leeds, it can be a positive for the Japan international to not make the same mistake again down the line. Farke - who afterwards admitted Tanaka was “naive” but believes he was right not to have been sent off - has escaped a potential headache for Monday.

Ramazani problem

Solomon and James are in undroppable form right now, despite Largie Ramazani’s recent excellent displays. James’ goal and assist means he is now into double figures for goal contributions this season, while Solomon has two goals and three assists in his last four matches.

It is tough on Ramazani - who had previously scored twice and assisted once in the past two matches - that he didn’t start. But Solomon is in such fine form and it is hard to argue a case for him to be dropped for Ramazani.

The Belgian showed great attitude when he came on, defending well, sparking an attack and almost scoring. It’s a shame for him that Solomon plays in the same position and that James being dropped to make way on the right cannot be justified.

Risking no rest

Brenden Aaronson and Solomon were big injury doubts for the Norwich clash and it was a surprise to see them with the squad. It was even more eyebrow-raising to see both start the match.

United face Burnley in an important promotion clash on Monday but Farke elected against rotating any of the players who started against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday. Joe Rodon has started every Championship game and Aaronson has begun each of the last 26 league matches.

The trip to Burnley being a day later than usual maybe played into Farke’s thinking, he indicated after full-time. What happens on Monday will determine whether his absence of rotation was the right call.