Leeds United suffered play-off heartache for the sixth time in their history on Sunday afternoon as The Whites were beaten by Southampton, and Daniel Farke was “not happy” with Archie Gray.
Having lost five times in the past and three times in play-off finals, Leeds had the chance to put it right on Sunday but they came up against a Southampton side that had already beaten Leeds twice this season.
Russell Martin’s men made it three from three this season, as Adam Armstrong’s neat finish was enough to secure Southampton a 1-0 win. Leeds huffed and puffed, but couldn’t break the Saints door down.
Dan James came closest after coming on as a sub, crashing a gorgeous strike against Alex McCarthy’s crossbar. The Wales star injected life into a beleaguered attack, and had an effort saved by McCarthy too.
It was a frustrating performance from Leeds, tactically easy to stop. The kind of viewing that Leeds fans have seen a number of times this term, with a number of stars underperforming on the day at Wembley.
One of those was Gray, who has set himself such impeccable standards that today’s display was below par even if he did little wrong, foul throw aside. Dean Ashton though, says he annoyed his manager Farke.
Dean Ashton says Gray annoyed Leeds manager Farke on Sunday
The teenager was perhaps slightly overawed by the occasion, even if Michael Bridges claimed before the game that Gray would thrive under the lofty shadow of the Wembley arches against Martin’s Saints.
Often choosing the safe option, Gray was not the only one to struggle. Georginio Rutter was a bystander, Crysencio Summerville met his match in Kyle Walker-Peters and Troy Deeney criticised Ethan Ampadu.
Speaking in first-half injury time as a co-commentator forTalkSPORT, former West Ham and England striker Ashton noticed Farke throwing his hands in the air in frustration at something Gray did.
“Just a couple of signs there from Daniel Farke that he’s not happy. He just had a right go at Archie Gray and threw his hands in the air, he’s definitely frustrated,” Ashton told TalkSPORT while commentating.
What The 49ers are thinking in regards to Farke’s future, now
Phil Hay released long-winded piece on The Athletic’s website after the 1-0 defeat and in it, he reported what sources among The 49ers had told him about Farke’s future at Elland Road after the play-off final.
Some fans were calling for Farke’s head in the immediate aftermath, but with Leeds achieving 90 points and would have secured automatic promotion on any other occasion, they are ready to stick with him.
Besides, Leeds are going to have plenty to sort this summer without the harsh decision of sacking Farke and having to find themselves a new manager. Farke will get a second chance to get Leeds promoted.