Millwall ran out 1-0 winners on Wednesday night in what was a script so many could’ve written before a ball was even kicked.
Over 50 per cent of Millwall’s goals this season have come from set-pieces and so it was no surprise they made use of that against Leeds, with one centre-back Jake Cooper heading the ball back across goal for another in Japhet Tanganga to volley in the only goal.
Aside from that, Millwall were pretty happy to sit back and absorb everything Leeds had to throw at them, with 75 per cent possession only enough to create a handful of decent chances.
Leeds’ wide men Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James were poor almost all night, while the focal point of the attack Joel Piroe also struggled to get into the game.
Harris’ verdict on Leeds after Millwall win
Speaking pre-match, Harris hailed Leeds as the best team in the division ahead of the likes of Sunderland, Sheffield United and Burnley.
Millwall actually beat the latter 1-0 at home on Sunday but Burnley were arguably even poorer than Leeds, creating virtually nothing all afternoon.
Harris had been bigging up the clash with Leeds all week and so it is no surprise how much Millwall fought to stay concentrated and keep the away side from finding an equaliser.
Despite the victory, though, Harris has maintained his opinion that Leeds are the best side in the Championship, suggesting they are by far and away the strongest Millwall have faced so far, in his post-match press conference.
He said: “Praise Farke first. That’s the best team we have seen this season. Best team we have played for sure. Very pleased to win that. Classic Den performance. Defensive discipline was mega. Shots, crosses and set-plays we had to defend.”
Daniel Farke praises Millwall after Leeds defeat
Harris wasn’t the only manager in the mood to praise the opposition after the game, with Daniel Farke also pretty complimentary of Millwall too.
He believes Millwall are capable of finishing in the top six this season after finding a style of play that makes them efficient at both ends of the pitch.
He said: “Completely agree. They are consistent. One result after another. They can defend and have big strength in set-pieces. They have not played us off the park, but their efficiency is crucial.
“If you climb the table like this, there is a good home crowd and balance between young and experienced players. They did the right things tonight. Good chance to get into the top six.”
Daniel Farke’s job is always going to come under scrutiny every time Leeds United lose a match in the Championship.
The Whites were beaten for just the second time this season at Millwall on Wednesday night, though it is the manner of the defeat which is more concerning.
Leeds fans are worried Farke is not learning from his previous mistakes, with this type of midweek loss on the road something that was also seen on several occasions last season.
Despite dominating 75 per cent of the ball, Leeds created barely a handful of chances at the Den, with the lack of creativity in the second half real cause for concern.
Even as Leeds struggled to create, Farke‘s changes did not come until the 70th and 78th minute respectively, when he just decided to throw on all of Leeds’ strikers. Needless to say, it didn’t work.
Jon Newsome on Leeds fans saying Farke should be sacked
Leeds are still in a better position than this time 12 months ago, with defeat leaving them just two points adrift of Sheffield United in second, and four off first place Sunderland.
Leicester City and Ipswich Town had opened up a significant gap on Leeds by this point, but it doesn’t appear as though anyone is going to be capable of stringing a run together like that this season.
However, with the options Farke has at his disposal all across the pitch, some supporters believe Leeds should be this year’s Leicester, thus making the start to the campaign a disappointment.
Speaking post-match on BBC Radio Leeds, pundit Jon Newsome can understand why fans are feeling frustrated, but doesn’t yet believe it is time to be calling for Farke’s head.
He said: “I don’t know if it is fair or not but I can understand why supporters feel that way, most definitely. I think I read a message earlier, saying we should be the Leicester of this league. Look at the squad we have, the players we have.
“I think Angus Kinnear has gone on record to say this is the highest wage bill in Championship history, so baring all that mind, I think there is an expectation by supporters that we should do a Leicester, run the league. Whether you are going to do that or not is very difficult.
“But yeah I can understand the sentiment and I understand some of the points raised in that message. Is it time to start calling for Daniel Farke? I don’t think I agree with that, but there were some points in there that were really, really valid.”
Where Farke needs to improve at Leeds
Leeds are currently in a position where it is difficult to be making any rash calls on Farke’s position, but there are some worrying mistakes he doesn’t seem to be learning from.
Farke’s substitutions when Leeds are trailing are always incredibly puzzling, often leaving it far too late to give anyone a chance to get into the game and make an impact.
It is also incredibly rare for Farke to make changes between matches after Leeds have won, which is also not good enough.
A clear example of that is Joel Piroe’s goal against Plymouth immediately being enough to get him into the starting line-up.
However, that shouldn’t be the case, as Piroe has proven so many times tough, physical away matches just don’t suit him. Mateo Joseph is far more suited to that role, yet got barely more than 10 minutes off the bench.
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