Leeds United’s latest play-off final heartache will hurt more than ever before.
That’s six play-off encounters they have been involved in spanning close to three decades and they have all ended in defeat.
Some would say that’s typical Leeds United because they have a serious mental blockage when it comes to these games, as they proved during their 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Sunday.
When Dan James hit the crossbar, it sent a shudder down the spine of both sets of supporters because the game was coming to an end and it was a moment that could have changed everything.
The Yorkshire outfit, after falling behind to an early Adam Armstrong goal, just couldn’t play their natural game and Russell Martin was tactically outdoing Daniel Farke, again!
Southampton were the only team during the regular season to do the double over Leeds – and that showed at the home of football.
Neil Warnock made it clear that ‘the best team won tactically’ even if he thinks highly about the man in the Elland Road dugout.
When James’ thunderous volley struck the crossbar, Warnock shared that he instantly looked down at the Leeds manager and noticed that ‘he knew’ that was it and the game was gone, as he told Sky Sports Football (26/05/24 at 5:55 pm).
Very little time was left and if the Whites had any luck, then that effort would have hit the back of the net, but in the end, it’s another season in the Championship for Leeds.
Leeds United lose play-off final to Southampton
“When James hit the crossbar, I looked down at Daniel (Farke) and I think he knew,” said Warnock.
“When that hit the crossbar, I think he knew that it wasn’t going to be. He shouldn’t batter himself because he has done a brilliant job. He is a lovely man and I think he is a good manager.
“But I thought the best team won tactically. Look at that here, that’s a volley, no chance for the goalkeeper and any other way, it goes in. That’s in, it’s then a different game and they are on top. That’s football and you need a bit of luck, a referee decision or the smallest of things.”
Big pressure on Daniel Farke
You can’t see the manager leaving, whether that’s moving on himself or getting booted out.
But this defeat does put huge pressure on him heading into the forthcoming campaign because nothing but promotion is expected.
READ MORE: Troy Deeney blasts ‘very poor’ Leeds United star during play-off final v Southampton
Two of the relegated sides – Leicester City and Southampton – did their jobs, so Leeds can’t have any excuses, in that regard.
The issue for the club is that if you offered them a play-off finish next season, then fans wouldn’t probably accept it because they know what’s coming.
But now it’s about dealing with the present, the likes of Crysencio Summerville are probably going to leave, they better hope that he is the only one.
The post Neil Warnock states what he noticed about Daniel Farke when Dan James hit the crossbar for Leeds appeared first on HITC.
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