Daniel Farke has built an unbeaten Leeds United side capable of switching styles at will, and the manager insists that flexibility will be crucial when Matthias Jaissle's fast-breaking Newcastle visit Elland Road on Monday night.
"We want to be hard to predict," Farke explained ahead of the fixture. "We have different approaches. For example, if a team has two very good centre-backs who dominate aerially it makes sense to build with more low passes. It's always in our DNA that we want to be on the ball and, in the buildup, we always want to be brave. Also it's possible to break the opposition's pressing by playing good football out from the back."
Despite that possession-based philosophy, Leeds have not shied away from directness this season. Only Hull City and Nottingham Forest have played a higher proportion of long passes in the Premier League, with towering forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin often the target. "We very often have a physical target player up front that we can be a bit more direct into," Farke said, underlining the tactical duality that has become a hallmark of his side.
That versatility appears to owe something to Farke's admiration for the contrasting managerial philosophies of his friends Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp. It has also proven decisive in salvaging his own position at the club. Between October 4 and November 29 last season, Leeds lost six of seven Premier League matches. Since then, they have lost just five of 28 league games and reached the FA Cup semi-finals.
The turning point came during a 3-2 defeat at Manchester City on November 29, when Farke's half-time switch to a back three, combined with introducing Calvert-Lewin, sparked a stirring second-half comeback that was only denied by a stoppage-time winner from Phil Foden. Leeds have since alternated between back three and back four systems and remain unbeaten this season, matching Newcastle's record.
Leeds' progress is reflected in their recruitment, highlighted by the British record £40m capture of England goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City in the summer — a deal made sweeter by the knowledge that Newcastle had made three unsuccessful attempts to sign him. Trafford has expressed confidence in the club's direction under owners 49ers Enterprises. "Something's going well here," he said. "They want to take the club back to where it has been historically and I think everyone here believes that is going to happen. With the energy, physicality and quality in this team anything is possible this season. The spirit is incredible. It's really, really good and that can take you a long way."
Off the pitch, Elland Road is undergoing expansion work to increase capacity from just under 38,000 to 53,000, reinforcing the sense of a club rebuilding its ambitions. Managing director Robbie Evans praised Farke's contribution this week, saying the club wants to secure his long-term future with a new contract.
On the field, summer signings such as Bosnian centre-back Tarik Muharemovic, a £34m arrival from Sassuolo, and winger Harry Wilson from Fulham have added depth and quality. Muharemovic has already scored in the Carabao Cup against Chelsea, showcasing the blend of athleticism and technical ability Farke values.
That competition ended in a heavy 6-3 defeat at Chelsea, with reserve goalkeeper Michael Zetterer enduring a torrid full debut. Farke was candid in his assessment. "Let's be honest, it was a nightmare debut," he said. "You feel a bit for him, but sometimes in life you have the worst possible start. He will have pressure next time, but he's a good goalkeeper. They live a privileged life and he's playing for a big club."
Looking ahead to facing Jaissle, a fellow German with mutual connections to Klopp and Thomas Tuchel, Farke acknowledged the threat Newcastle pose. "He's made a bright start," Farke said. "Newcastle are very dangerous, especially counterattacking and it will be difficult. But we want to be on top of their challenge. We want as many points as possible."
Based on reporting from Guardian Football.