Daniel Farke makes scary admission as comments highlight big difference between Leeds and Stoke City
Daniel Farke was quick to praise his Leeds United team after their 2-0 Boxing Day victory at Stoke City took them back to the top of the Championship table.
But while his focus was all about Leeds, some of his post-match comments at the bet365 Stadium on character, spirit and unity will have made uncomfortable listening for Stoke supporters not always convinced by the application of their team this season.
Leading marksman Joel Piroe scored either side of half-time to move Leeds above Sheffield United at the summit of the table on goal difference.
And Farke’s praise of the character of his side, while admitting they were not at their best in seeing off an ailing Stoke side now on a run of nine games without victory, would have been a cold dose of reality for Potters’ connections.
READ MORE: Narcis Pelach makes depressing admission as Stoke City swept aside by Leeds United
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Farke told Sky Sports: "It was perhaps not our best team performance and individually we could have started the game better. We missed too many chances.
"But we showed lots of consistency at the moment. Another clean sheet, win and an important three points on the road against an opponent that wanted to turn their momentum a little bit. It was not an easy game to play on Boxing Day so compliments to my lads for the three points.
"We missed many chances to create and score more goals in the second half. The scoreline could have been a little clearer. It was perhaps not our most shining performance but a mature one. When the games are coming thick and fast, you can't always expect fireworks. Overall, we did the job we wanted to do.
"It is not always easy when everybody else has played and you are under a little bit of pressure. But then to deliver such a mature performance – again not our best, but an important three points – it shows a winning mentality.
“We can celebrate that we’re not just in the top two, but at the top of the table.
“I’m pretty happy with this, pretty happy with what the lads are doing at the moment. Our spirit, our unity, our togetherness – you could literally feel it on the pitch, after the game and in the dressing room.”
By contrast, under pressure Stoke boss Narcis Pelach said: “We prepared the team in the best way in order to try to be resilient. You need to be resilient against these type of teams because they make you defend a lot.
“They have a lot of ball possession. And then if you press them high and you go late, they beat the press and then they have an open goal. But then if you sit, it’s just [perceived] that you’re not trying, and it’s difficult.”
