adminLeeds United welcome Newcastle to Elland Road on Monday night, with Daniel Farke already suggesting that one player is unlikely to start the match.
The Whites will be looking to respond positively after their League Cup defeat against Chelsea.
They have a great chance to do so on Monday in front of their home supporters. Leeds’ league campaign this season has been encouraging, with the side remaining unbeaten in their opening three league matches.
Daniel Farke’s team only managed to collect one point against the Magpies last season.
Their previous encounter at Elland Road finished goalless, while the return fixture saw Leeds suffer a 4-3 defeat at St. James’ Park.
Daniel Farke makes honest admission about £15m Leeds star
Daniel Farke appears to have established his preferred Leeds United starting XI just five games into the new season.
Given the number of new arrivals at the club, many anticipated that the squad would need time to gel under Farke. However, his team selections have been remarkably consistent.
He did make changes during the League Cup matches against Nottingham Forest and Chelsea. So far this season, Anton Stach and Ethan Ampadu have formed Farke’s preferred midfield partnership.
Sean Longstaff, who enjoyed a strong start to last season, has instead found himself regularly among the substitutes. Daniel Farke discussed the midfielder ahead of Monday night’s meeting with Newcastle.
“Sean is a top guy, a top character, one of our most experienced players at this level, he has many, many Premier League games,” Farke said ahead of Monday night’s game.
He has the skill to influence the game with a goal or an assist, he has this natural instinct when to be on the edge of the box and instinctive finish. I was a bit surprised he didn’t finish his chance [versus Chelsea].
Like all our players in this position, he has lots of competition so you always have to be on it. Last season he needed to adapt to a new club then he had a really good period when he was more or less irreplaceable and influenced our game a lot.”
Farke also outlined how the 28-year-old midfielder eventually lost his position in the starting team.
“But after a long-term calf injury he had a few problems coming back. He fought his way back in a good pre-season and had some good games but there is lots of competition. Whenever he gets a chance – like in the cup – to shine it’s important he grabs those chances, or when he comes on into a Premier League game.
Every good appearance there or in training extends your chances to be more involved and every poorer performance makes it more difficult. Sean has all the skills – a top character and top experience. But he also has lots of competition.
“I don’t play the guys I like most or that are the most experienced or the nicest characters, I play what I think is beneficial for the team. And for that, he has to compete with other competitors in this area.”
Sean Longstaff must battle for his place this season
Last season, supporters were eager to see Longstaff operate in the centre of the pitch.
He arrived as a high-profile signing and plenty was expected from him. Early in the campaign, the former Newcastle midfielder made a strong impression and produced an outstanding display against Bournemouth in September.
However, he has subsequently dropped out of the starting XI because of the form of other midfielders in the squad.
This season, the 28-year-old must battle to earn his place back in the lineup. He already has many of the qualities Farke values, but he now needs to rediscover the form he showed at the beginning of last season.
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