Four points from a tricky first three games is a return that Leeds United will be happy with, despite a week of worry in the midst of it.
The 5-0 defeat to Arsenal was a snap back to reality after the opening day win over Everton, though the League Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday was a real low point in Daniel Farke’s tenure. A good response was needed against Newcastle United.
Despite having two key midfielders out in Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu, the goalless draw with the Magpies instilled encouragement, in part, back into the fanbase. Deadline day pointed to the clear area of concern.
The inability to get another attacker through the door in the final week despite the plea of the manager leaves United relying on two strikers with an injury history and another who has no previous Premier League experience to be the main goal threats.
Only one goal has been scored in Premier League action so far and that came from the penalty spot. Wingers have yet to score or provide a league assist either, though - as mentioned before - the opponents have hardly been easy.
That said, no game in the top flight will be straightforward by any means. Even relegation rivals will be fighting tooth and nail for every point.
But at the same time, the next six fixtures provide a run of games Leeds will be looking to exploit. The first is a tricky trip to Fulham before the away day at Wolverhampton Wanderers, with a home clash against Bournemouth seeing out the month.
Then comes a home clash with Tottenham Hotspur prior to matches against Burnley and West Ham. It is these kinds of games which will determine United’s relegation fate.
Every point matters, with victories coming as moments for celebration. Interestingly, there has been an early omen which has - traditionally - indicated the fate of a club’s fight against the drop.
Across the Premier League era, no team that has amassed eight points or more after the first five games has gone down. So if Leeds can grab four points from their next two games, history may favour the Whites.
Of course, statistics are only statistics until they are not. But four points from the next two games in itself would make supporters feel more hopeful about the season anyway.
Spread that five-game average out over the course of the season, and it would take Leeds to around the 60-point mark. That would be a dream return to the top flight.
If Leeds can get two-thirds of that, it may be enough. Goals need to be scored though and these next few matches will expose how needed that final piece of the jigsaw actually was.
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