Farke must switch it up to help stop away-day blues
JOHN HENDRIE reckons it is “madness” if anyone thinks Leeds need to get rid of boss Daniel Farke.
United’s promotion push has come off the rails with just one win in five outings ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Championship strugglers Birmingham.
Friday’s miserable 1-0 defeat at West Brom followed a sobering 2-1 Boxing Day loss at Preston, leaving some fans restless.
But Hendrie (below), who helped fire Leeds to promotion in his sole season at Elland Road in 1989-90, has every faith in the German’s abilities.
He said: “He’s done a great job since coming in in the summer when ‘Big Sam’ (Allardyce) said there was a massive job ahead.
“He’s dealt with some problems and done so in a dignified manner.
“Leeds have been terrific at home.
“It’s just that away form which is a concern.
“They have to get their act together away from home and find a way to win if they are to have any promotion aspirations.
“Whether that’s through a change of system or personnel, they just need to get a run going as it is a concern. But it’d be absolute madness to change manager.”
It was only eight days ago Leeds hammered second-placed Ipswich 4-0 at Elland Road, where they remain unbeaten this term.
That prompted talk of chasing down an automatic promotion spot.
But they have picked up only four wins from 13 Championship away trips all season, leaving them in fourth and off the pace.
Former Bradford and Barnsley striker Hendrie said: “I was involved in five promotions, four into the top flight.
“The one that sticks out with me now was with Middlesbrough in Bryan Robson’s first season in charge in 1994-95.
“We’d change our system. We’d play with a back four at home and then go 3-5-2 away and found a way of winning. “It suited us and I’m looking at Leeds now and think they need to do something.
“You expect them to win and win convincingly at Elland Road. You would on Monday (against Birmingham). They’ve made it their castle. A fortress.
“The manner in which Ipswich were beaten, you did think it’d be two of the three who came down – Leicester, Leeds and Southampton – who’d get the automatic spots on that evidence.
“But the two away defeats this week have scuppered things and something must be done.”