Daniel Farke’s decision to play Archie Gray at right-back on Saturday against Bristol City with the intention to add a third midfielder has the makings of a new formation
Ideas are one thing, but execution is another and Daniel Farke may just have the player to make his tactical Leeds United dreams come true. Archie Gray continues to turn heads for all of the right reasons this season and reached new heights on Saturday.
The 17-year-old was played at right-back in one of the few starting-line-up shocks of the season from Farke. Some exposure to full-back with England’s under-17s would have helped Gray, but that was nothing compared to Championship football in front of 36,000 people.
Farke admits it was a risk and there was no guarantee turning to Gray over Luke Ayling would work. The decision was inspired by Farke’s desire for a makeshift midfielder on the pitch who could link up with Ethan Ampadu and Glen Kamara in the centre where needed, moving Leeds, at least temporarily, into something more like a 3-3-3-1
I have to give all the compliments to Archie because one thing is you can have an idea something works and also think ‘okay, the player with his strengths and his way can fulfil your wishes’, but it’s much more important the player brings this on the pitch and there was no guarantee it would work today,” said Farke.
“We got the feeling we wanted to play today with a bit more of a technical player who plays from the full-back position, a bit more inverted, a bit like an additional midfield player. Also, the strength of Archie Gray is his pace also in tracking the wingers because [we] always got the feeling Bristol is good with long balls in behind our last row.
Not only did Gray’s technical prowess underpin Farke’s decision, but his positioning also unleashed Daniel James. Farke felt, with Gray tucking inside, the Wales winger would be allowed to roam wider without unbalancing the team’s overall shape.
“We got the feeling Archie’s pace could help, but especially also in possession,” he said. “His positioning allows Daniel James to stretch opponents a bit more, to stay a bit wider.
“Yes, one thing is you can have an idea, but the most important topic is you have players who bring it on the pitch and for that, yes, Archie was there with a terrific performance, especially against the ball, but also with the ball he was quite energetic in several situations. To adapt that quickly to this position, it says it all about him as a character and about his potential.”
