'Difficult' - Daniel Farke's honest verdict on Leeds United pair Brenden Aaronson & Harry Wilson vs Sunderland
The Leeds United pair struggled to make an impact in place of Noah Okafor and Anton Stach.
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke admits it was a ‘difficult’ ask for the likes of Harry Wilson and Brenden Aaronson to make an instant impact as starters against Sunderland.
Farke had his hand forced into two attacking changes at the Stadium of Light due to injury, with Anton Stach and Noah Okafor only fit enough for the bench. Wilson and Aaronson flanked Dominic Calvert-Lewin in a return to a 3-4-2-1 formation.
But Leeds failed to create from open-play once again, recording an Expected Goals total of just 0.07 in the first-half. Introductions Wilson and Aaronson struggled to make an impact in the final third before both were replaced by Okafor and Stach after the hour mark.
“Yes, difficult for them, for Harry and Brenden,” Farke said. “But also for Jaka Bijol, because you think, okay, you have not played for a while, here is your chance. Use your chance and shine a little bit. But it never works like this.
“So they need to find the rhythm. We had to change many positions, also due to the fact that Nico Elvedi was not available. They need to get into their rhythm. Their team needs to find it, and then you go out in a game where you could hardly pass the ball properly because the wind was like a tornado.
“It's difficult then for players like Brenden, Harry or Jaka in each situation to shine. I think you could feel it.”
Wilson and Aaronson have both endured difficult starts to the campaign, neither able to open their goal or assist accounts at the Stadium of Light. Bijol did make a good impression, however, overcoming a shaky start to defend well in place of the ill Elvedi.
“I'm pleased that they have the minutes under their belt,” Farke added. “I'm pleased that they've also played their part in grinding out an important result for us in a difficult ground, and this will be beneficial for them.
“There will be other occasions for Harry and for Brenden offensive-wise to shine. Jaka is a defensive player who shines a bit more with a result, with a clean sheet. So for that, no complaints. Just happy that they came through, and yeah, important minutes also for them.”