Leeds United boss Daniel Farke steps down after accepting a highly lucrative offer from an Arab club

Leeds Dressing Room Caught Off Guard by Brentford’s Tactical Twist as Calvert-Lewin Left Frustrated

Leeds United were left surprised by an unexpected tactical decision from Brentford ahead of their clash at Elland Road — a move that ultimately played a key role in the Whites’ struggles in front of goal.

Daniel Farke admitted after the match that Brentford’s switch to a back five disrupted Leeds’ attacking rhythm, contributing to their failure to score for the fourth consecutive Premier League game. The decision also left striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin visibly frustrated by full-time.

Brentford had not used a five-man defence since early December, but opted for a man-to-man approach across the pitch in this encounter — a change that didn’t go unnoticed in the Leeds camp.

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow revealed the adjustment was discussed in the dressing room, describing it as a sign of respect from the visitors.

“They knew coming to Elland Road would be tough, so they adapted,” Darlow explained. “It took us a bit of time to adjust, especially in the first half. But towards the end, we looked the more likely team to score. There are positives we can take.”

Despite Leeds’ late push, Calvert-Lewin endured a difficult evening. Limited space and tight marking restricted his influence, with the striker managing just one attempt on goal and completing only a handful of passes.

“It was frustrating and hard to find space,” he admitted. “You’re not always going to break teams down easily. Their extra centre-back caught us a bit by surprise, so we had to adjust on the fly.”

He added that Brentford’s defensive setup was clear from the outset: “They came with a plan — three big centre-halves to deal with everything we threw into the box. And to be fair, they executed it well.”

Farke echoed those thoughts, praising Brentford’s defensive discipline while acknowledging the unexpected nature of their setup.

“We prepared for both a back four and a back five,” he said. “But based on their recent games, we expected a four. Considering their push for European places, we thought they’d go more attacking.

“So the change was a bit surprising — but also a sign of respect. Still, it made it very difficult for us to create clear chances.”

While Leeds can take some encouragement from their late pressure, the night ultimately highlighted how Brentford’s tactical flexibility successfully stifled their attacking threat.