Daniel Farke has changed Leeds in one area that made Thomas Frank sit up and take notice

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Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has poured praise on Leeds United after their Premier League meeting at Elland Road.

The Whites were impressive as they looked to land a huge three points against one of the teams expected to challenge at the top of the division.

Noah Okafor scored his second Leeds goal of the season with a comfortable finish from a few yards out.

However, a bit of bad fortune went against the side, as deflected strikes from Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus left Karl Darlow helpless to stop the shots.

It meant another frustrating result for Daniel Farke, but a performance that shows they can continue to compete for the next 31 Premier League fixtures.

For many teams, it’s a bit of a different experience facing Leeds compared to the previous outfit they were in the top flight.

Thomas Frank detailed as much when reflecting on Tottenham’s victory.

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Thomas Frank outlines impressive Leeds United defence under Daniel Farke

One thing that has significantly changed about Leeds with Daniel Farke in charge is that they look more defensively stable.

Gone are the days of Marcelo Bielsa and Jesse Marsch, where pressing with intensity was part of every single defensive action.

Now, Leeds are looking to compete differently and almost managed to land some valuable points against Tottenham thanks to it.

It was something that Spurs boss Frank detailed after the match, revealing just how much he took notice of that defensive form at the club.

He told the press: “By the way, I’ve been in the Championship for many years. So I know how difficult a league it is, and I always respect it.

So, any weaknesses [with Leeds]? I think before this game, and I think it’s the same today, they concede very little chances on the xG. So if you look at the xG today, also in that sense, they concede very little.

“I think the one that maybe is hidden a little bit from the performance today is the thing that we had five or six top situations where we flashed the ball across the box, where we need to be there. And then it’s maybe two goals and an xG of two.

“But I think I rather want to praise Leeds. I think they were good today. I think they were difficult to play against. I think they defended well, and I felt they were very brave also on the ball.”

Leeds clearly made Frank sit up and take notice of their defensive qualities, something that has changed a lot since the last time they were in the Premier League.

Now, they need to make it count with more points.

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Leeds United had the worst defence in the Premier League last time

For teams who are engaged in a relegation scrap, goals either have to be flowing at one end or stopped totally at the other.

During the relegation season in 2022/23, neither was really going the way of Leeds, as they ended the campaign with the worst defence, conceding 78 goals.

This season has started slightly better in terms of performance, though a little bit of luck has gone against them.

Of their 11 conceded so far, five of those came in Leeds’ defeat to Arsenal.

Beyond that, there have been several last-minute goals that have gone against them, as well as two deflected strikes against Tottenham.

That’s no excuse, of course, but it puts some perspective on how well Leeds have competed, and they will hope that it soon reflects on the table.