04 Jun 2026 20:49:46
Gonna put it out but does anyone believe DF stumbled upon the new formation at HT against City?
Or was he just waiting for the right moment?
It's an interesting topic to me. Was he just trying to keep the score down or had he practiced the formation?

1.) 04 Jun 2026
04 Jun 2026 21:42:48
He did it at Norwich, switching from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2 to achieve better play, although Norwich struggled to score goals.
He also used that formation in his earlier days with Dortmund reserves.
I have mentioned this before on here, and, no, contrary to what everyone wants to believe, he did not stumble on this like it just dropped out of the sky.

2.) 04 Jun 2026
04 Jun 2026 22:02:11
Love to know, Corkey, my hunch it was the players proposed the change, (don't know, but Farkey hadn't used the formation previously) , it really doesn't matter to me though, whether Farkey introduced it, or he was big enough to give the players idea a try.

Irrespective, it transformed our season and enabled Gaby and Bogle to get forwards and add to our up to then, much needed creativity.



Also made us so much harder to beat and certainly got the best out of Bijol who I thought grew into one of our most rugged and dependable defenders as a result.

3.) 04 Jun 2026
04 Jun 2026 22:45:43
Really feels like Leeds players insisted on change of formation to 3 5 2.

Farkey very rarely played 3 5 2 for Norwich in EPL. He played 4 3 3.

And, as a result, Norwich managed to have a horrendous minus 120 goal difference combined over the 2 EPL seasons 19/20 and 21/22.

4.) 04 Jun 2026
04 Jun 2026 23:35:38
We will never know who made the decision, but in his comments after that game, or maybe the next one, when asked about the formation, he replied 4-4-2 wins the PL and it's my preferred way of playing, and he wanted to go back to it.

Over the season, his management of the team got better, his sub timing got better, and he actually started to show some emotion and pride in the team.

So, imho, whether it was the players, or his coaches, or management, it was good that he listened to them and stuck to it; otherwise, I think we would be playing Championship next season.

5.) 05 Jun 2026
05 Jun 2026 00:18:34
But, according to reports, he wants to go back to his more favoured 4-4-2 next season. The losing formation, which we would have got relegated with, had the players not suggested a change at half-time v City.

6.) 05 Jun 2026
05 Jun 2026 06:05:45
He changes three, then to four at the back during certain games, depending on the opposition and their tactics. Nothing wrong with that, and it shows his flexibility to adapt.
Absolute, baseless nonsense that the players are making all the tactical decisions for him.

7.) 05 Jun 2026
05 Jun 2026 06:16:43
I think we all know why Norwich did so badly and were relegated twice. Their owner refused or couldn't spend money on new players.
It seems to me that for some Leeds fans, they still can't accept that DF is our manager, and that continues to really irk them.


Pity that he doesn't receive the credit he surely deserves, or is it just an ego agenda from some fans?

8.) 05 Jun 2026
05 Jun 2026 07:09:27
They'd clearly been doing it in training as a different option. I've never, in my life, seen a team switch formations, not having practiced it repeatedly! This is pro football, not a rush goalie scenario in Roundhay Park.
Maybe players "suggested" switching? No one will ever know.

9.) 05 Jun 2026
05 Jun 2026 07:43:38
Rumours at the time were that Ampadu and DCL were behind the halftime change at Man City. Does seem plausible.

10.) 05 Jun 2026
05 Jun 2026 08:08:33
There's Opti's fave phrase when people disagree. Some Leeds fans. Cheer up, mate. Some agree with you, some don't.
I have no doubt it would have been practiced. It doesn't matter if it was him or, more likely, the players' suggestion. It 100% saved his bacon.

11.) 05 Jun 2026
05 Jun 2026 06:50:40
OP I think that you are reading what you want from the posts. First off Norwich has nothing to do with the last season. Leeds gave him most of what he wanted, not everything, but most things.

He then played 4-4-2 and lost 9 games, and at half time at chity decided to change, so the fans will always be questioning what happened.

It was a different season from the Chitty game, we got to the semi's of the cup and could have easily swept them aside, and we had some great game to keep the team safe. Now he has a foundation to build on. and hopefully we do
MOT

12.) 05 Jun 2026
05 Jun 2026 09:18:36
Who knew OP watches Dortmund reserves. ?

13.) 05 Jun 2026
05 Jun 2026 10:23:15
Come on Corky, you can read and inform yourself or you can be like a sheep and just follow and repeat what others have guessed or simply made up.
It's only my opinion for Christ sake or am I not allowed to have one Aus?
What's wrong with you?

14.) 05 Jun 2026
05 Jun 2026 14:08:08
Some Leeds fans opti. But not you. ?

15.) 05 Jun 2026
05 Jun 2026 15:15:05
Only jesting, OP, mate.
It was a fair question, I thought?

16.) 05 Jun 2026
05 Jun 2026 17:39:20
Fair enough lads. ?