Farke deserves more credit for Leeds transformation

Q: Why is Daniel Farke not nominated for manager of the season?

Daniel Farke was not included in the manager of the season shortlist despite his impactful work at Leeds United.

Q: What has Daniel Farke achieved at Leeds United?

Farke has significantly transformed Leeds United's performance, although his contributions have not received adequate credit.

Q: How does Farke's performance compare to other Premier League managers?

Farke's performance is notable, especially when compared to managers like Michael Carrick, who has only managed a few games.

Q: What are the key factors in Farke's success at Leeds?

Farke's success at Leeds can be attributed to tactical improvements and player development, which have revitalized the team's performance.

Welcome to The Radar, a Sky Sports column in which Nick Wright uses a blend of data and opinion to shed light on need-to-know stories from up and down the Premier League. This week:

🔺 Farke's Leeds work underrated
🔺 Hinshelwood's runs in No 10 role
🔺 Trippier's Newcastle goodbye
🔺 A player to watch this weekend

Does Farke deserve more credit?

Michael Carrick's inclusion in the Premier League manager of the season shortlist, after only 15 games in charge of Manchester United, prompted plenty of debate. There were notable omissions too. Daniel Farke might feel aggrieved not to have made the cut.

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Leeds claimed a 1-1 draw against Spurs in their last ame

His Leeds side were tipped to go straight back down but head into their penultimate game against Brighton, live on Sky Sports on Sunday, having secured survival with time to spare. They are almost as close to the European spots as the relegation zone.

In fact, if you take the Premier League table from the start of December, when Farke implemented the tactical change that altered the course of their season, switching from a back four to a back three, Leeds are seventh, having only lost four out of 23 games.

Farke's future at the club was the subject of speculation before that. There were reports he was close to the sack after a run of four straight losses in November which left Leeds in the bottom three. But they responded by beating Chelsea and drawing with Liverpool.

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The all-important change of system actually came at the half-time in the previous game against Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side ended up needing a stoppage-time winner from Phil Foden at the Etihad Stadium after the visitors, hastily reconfigured by their head coach during the interval, had fought back from two goals down.

It could be argued the change was an act of desperation. Some felt it was overdue. But Farke deserves credit for making it work. The Leeds boss essentially ripped up his tactical blueprint and oversaw a successful switch to a new one on the fly.

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Farke had never previously started a game with a back three during his Leeds tenure but a seven-game unbeaten run followed, the change improving them in all departments. Leeds were transformed, far harder to beat but also more potent going forward.

The addition of a third centre-back in Jaka Bijol added solidity, while the use of wing-backs in Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jayden Bogle provided attacking width, allowing the side's supporting forwards to combine more closely with Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The striker had only scored one goal in 10 Premier League appearances before the half-time system change at the Etihad Stadium. He has scored 12 in 23 since.

Image: Leeds boss Daniel Farke switched to a back three

The club's recruitment team deserve credit too. Calvert-Lewin was one of 10 summer signings, all of whom arrived at peak age, ready to deliver in the here and now, equipped with the physical attributes to handle the increased intensity of the Premier League.

Still, though, they needed their manager to put it all together. "There was a lot made of him being a Championship manager who couldn't cut it in the Premier League, but I think he's proven a lot of doubters wrong," said Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football.

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"He's had a real influence on the team in terms of changing the system, and they haven't just come in and whacked it long and relied on set-pieces. They've played really good football.

"I feel like I'm watching an established Premier League team."

Farke's work should not be overlooked.

Hinshelwood thriving at No 10

While Leeds have already achieved their goal of staying up, Brighton are still fighting to reach theirs. Jack Hinshelwood is leading the charge towards only the second European-qualification finish in their history.

The 21-year-old, who broke into the team as a full-back under former boss Roberto De Zerbi, is thriving as Fabian Hurzeler's No 10. His thumping header 35 seconds into last weekend's 3-0 win over Wolves was his third goal in as many Premier League games.

Image: Jack Hinshelwood's minutes played by position shows his versatility

Hurzeler, another manager whose work this season deserves recognition, describes Hinshelwood's flexibility as one of his biggest strengths. The academy graduate's Premier League minutes have been split between a wide variety of different positions. But his success in his current role comes down to other attributes.

"He has a really good feeling for being in the right position and the right place," said Hurzeler after the Wolves game. "And the main bit is just his desire to score and how he's getting into the box."

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Jack Hinshelwood opened the scoring in Brighton's win over Wolves

His latest goal came from a now characteristic late run into the penalty area and the numbers reflect the frequency with which he is getting into those positions. According to Opta, he ranks behind only Bournemouth striker Evanilson and Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo for runs making him an option for a cross since his move into the No 10 position over two months ago.

Image: Jack Hinshelwood has made the third-most runs making him an option for a cross in the Premier League since moving to No 10 in matchday 28

"It's about doing these runs all the time," added Brighton's head coach. "You may not get the rewards with the first one, with the second one, or with the third one, but he keeps going.

"With these runs, he not only gives himself the chance to score, he also creates space for his team-mates. He makes his team-mates better by his positioning, by his desire to score and run in behind."

England are of course well-stocked in the No 10 position. But Hinshelwood, a regular with the U21s, is showing he may have a long-term future at senior level. Before that, though, there is Leeds, and another chance to propel Brighton towards their objective.

Trippier deserves proper send-off

Newcastle's final home game of the season, live on Sky Sports against West Ham on Sunday, is an opportunity for Kieran Trippier to say farewell to the club's supporters ahead of his impending departure, but it remains to be seen how big a role he will play.

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Kieran Trippier announced his decision to leave Newcastle when his contract expires

Eddie Howe is without all three of Tino Livramento, Lewis Miley and Emil Krafth due to injury but chose to switch Lewis Hall to right-back against Nottingham Forest last weekend rather than start Trippier, who only appeared as an 89th-minute substitute.

Howe said on Friday the 35-year-old is "deserving of recognition", praising his willingness to swap Atletico Madrid for a relegation battle with Newcastle in January 2022. But he hasn't started him since the loss to Sunderland in March. After four years of committed service, Trippier will be hoping that changes against West Ham.

Player Radar: Who else to keep an eye on

Mateus Fernandes spurned a glorious chance to put West Ham in front against Arsenal last weekend but his performance showed why he is attracting interest from top clubs. He is key to the Hammers' hopes of escaping the drop in the next two games.

Live Radar: What's on Sky this weekend?

All remaining 20 Premier League games will be live on Sky Sports, starting with Aston Villa vs Liverpool on Friday May 15.

There is no Premier League football on Saturday May 16, but Sunday May 17 is headlined by Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest and relegation-threatened West Ham travelling to Newcastle.

Arsenal will look to extend their lead at the top of the table when they host Burnley on Monday Night Football on May 18.

The penultimate round of games concludes on Tuesday May 19, with title challengers Man City travelling to Bournemouth and Tottenham going across London to rivals Chelsea.

Read last week's Radar column

Apologies, Arsenal fans, for jinxing Ben White. The last column outlined his role in bringing out the best of Bukayo Saka, only for the defender to suffer a season-ending injury against West Ham.

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