daniel farke makes a drastic change in his tactics as he drops a crucial player in preparation for Saturday clash against Fulham

Daniel Farke Adjusts Tactics to Bolster Leeds United’s Attacking Prowess Ahead of Fulham Clash

As Leeds United gear up for their Premier League showdown against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday, September 13, 2025, manager Daniel Farke is making strategic tweaks to enhance the team’s offensive capabilities. With the Whites still adapting to life back in the top flight after promotion, Farke has openly acknowledged shortcomings in their attacking department, stating earlier this month that the squad hasn’t sufficiently improved offensively compared to their Championship-winning side. This admission has sparked a tactical evolution aimed at unlocking more goals and creativity against a resilient Fulham outfit.

Farke’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, which served Leeds well during their promotion push, is undergoing refinements to incorporate a more fluid 4-3-3 setup.This shift emphasizes quicker transitions, narrow wingers inverting to create overloads in central areas, and greater emphasis on pressing high up the pitch to regain possession in advanced positions. Analysts have noted that Leeds’ attacks often rely on dynamic runs from midfielders and full-backs overlapping, but recent matches have exposed a lack of a true number 10 to link play effectively—a gap Farke has lamented since the days of Pablo Hernandez.

In preparation for Fulham, training sessions at Thorp Arch have focused on integrating new signings into these adjusted tactics. Summer recruits, including a versatile attacking midfielder, are being drilled to provide the technical quality and athleticism needed for Premier League intensity. Farke has experimented with “Plan B” variations, such as dropping deeper to counter Fulham’s counter-attacking style under Marco Silva, while encouraging more risk-taking in the final third. This includes utilizing wingers like Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James in narrower roles to exploit spaces behind Fulham’s full-backs, combined with target man Patrick Bamford or Joel Piroe leading the line with improved hold-up play.

The motivation stems from Leeds’ early-season struggles to convert dominance into goals, with Farke warning that failing to address attacking deficiencies could prove costly. Against a Fulham side boasting creative talents like Andreas Pereira and a solid defense anchored by Joachim Andersen, Leeds must be clinical. Farke’s adjustments aim to surprise the hosts, drawing from his successful Norwich City tenure where similar tactical flexibility yielded promotion.

Fans are optimistic, with recent fan reactions highlighting the “sensational” form of key players adapting to these changes.

If executed well, this could mark a turning point for Leeds’ season, blending defensive solidity with renewed attacking flair. As kick-off approaches at 3:00 PM, all eyes will be on whether Farke’s innovations pay dividends in this crucial London encounter.