Leeds United have made a steady start to the Premier League. But there are certainly some warning signs for the season ahead.
Leeds United find themselves in 12th place of the Premier League table for this September international break.
Daniel Farke and indeed many Leeds fans would surely have jumped at four points from the opening three games, and three difficult games too.
So far, Leeds United have beaten Everton 1-0, then being thumped 5-0 by Arsenal, before a goalless draw against Newcastle United at Elland Road last time out.
Two clean sheets in three for new goalkeeper Lucas Perri is somewhat outweighed by five conceded against Arsenal. On top of that, Leeds United fans weren’t impressed with Perri’s overall performance.
But at Elland Road, neither Everton nor Newcastle could really lay a finger on Perri, with his Leeds United defenders looking as assured as it ever has in the top flight.
Pundit Chris Sutton speaks prior to Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League
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Chris Sutton said defence would be the key for Leeds United
As ever is the case with teams coming up from the Championship, staying in the Premier League largely depends on how solid you are at the back. Obviously, goals are needed, but teams will never stay up if they’re shipping in goals every match.
And speaking at the start of summer, Chris Sutton gave his verdict on Leeds’ survival chances in the Premier League this season, stating that he didn’t think Leeds United had the defensive players capable of beating the drop.
11 Brighton 3 1 1 1 3 4 -1 4
12 Leeds 3 1 1 1 1 5 -4 4
13 Manchester City 3 1 0 2 5 4 1 3
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Sutton said: “It’s going to be really difficult. Ipswich conceded 71 goals Leicester 73, Southampton 78. That’s more than two goals every game. Nigh-on impossible to stay in the Premier League if that’s the case.”
Sutton later added: “With Leeds, the demands of Leeds, fans want to see expansive football. They really need to stiffen up at the back, but my feeling is that he [Farke] won’t change. Has he got those players? Not so sure he has.”
Willian and Rodrigo Muniz of Fulham
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Fulham test will be make or break for Leeds United
So far Leeds have kept two clean sheets but conceded five in their opening three games. Barring that Arsenal defeat, Leeds United have looked resolute at the back and so there’s certainly reason to believe that Leeds can prove Sutton wrong, and keep a steady defence across this season.
But that Arsenal defeat was certainly a worry, and when Leeds United play Fulham in their next game on September 13th, we’ll get a real gauge of just how sturdy this Leeds defence is.
Whether it’s an issue of playing away from home or whether it’s simply a case of the Arsenal attack being that good, will become a whole lot clearer when Leeds United play Fulham at Craven Cottage.
A good performance and a clean sheet will certainly suggest Leeds have the defence capable of beating the drop. But then of course there’s the overhanging issue of Farke’s lack of firepower following Leeds United’s disastrous deadline day.
Defence is one thing, but scoring goals is a complete other thing.