Daniel Farke's reputation as a ropey Premier League manager is back under the spotlight at Leeds United.
The under-fire German has now lost a colossal 40 matches at the intimidating level from the 59 games he's taken charge of, as the Whites worryingly looked like relegation fodder last time out in a 3-0 loss at Brighton and Hove Albion.
Daniel-Farke
It's not quite as bad as his Norwich City end days just yet, with Farke's Canaries falling to an embarrassing 7-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea all the way back in 2021.
But, his dismal record in the division just doesn't make for pretty reading, as he now attempts to guide Leeds up the table.
Farke's PL record
Stat
Games
Wins
Draws
Losses
Goals scored
Goals conceded
Points accumulated
Sourced by Transfermarkt
He could have to think outside of the box, soon, if he feels he's being let down consistently by his senior personnel, as a whole host of exciting U21 talents are coming through currently in West Yorkshire...
The biggest stars in Leeds' academy
Throughout his time in the Elland dug-out to date, Farke has often chucked young talents into the first team mix when he's deemed them to be ready, having once kick-started Archie Gray's ascent to stardom.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin misfiring as of late, he might well be tempted to look at another Gray and launch Harry Gray into the senior side, with the 17-year-old already up to 15 goals for the U18s and U21s, despite recent injury setbacks.
Moreover, Alfie Cresswell could soon fancy his own chances, having captained the U21s this season from defensive midfield, with the 18-year-old - who can also play in defence - also collecting three goals for his troubles.
But, it could be down the right wing where Farke is looking to bring in some youthful reinforcements, having had to rely on a hot-and-cold Brenden Aaronson in his spot on the pitch for most of the season so far.
Brenden-Aaronson
That has resulted in the versatile American only collecting one meagre goal for his efforts, with Farke having to persist with the up-and-down 25-year-old, owing to both Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto being unfortunate with injuries.
Yet, there could be an in-house replacement now staring Farke in the face. Like Cresswell and Gray, he's a hotly-tipped teenage sensation.
Leeds' surprise Aaronson replacement
All the young starlets over the years who have been generously handed a first-team opportunity at Leeds must dream that they can become the next homegrown ace to make it.
Only a select few do, unfortunately, but Connor Douglas will back himself that he can be a success story in the senior ranks down the line, having already been branded as a "joy to watch" by PureFootball Trent Gaffney for his previous heroics on the youth pitches in West Yorkshire.
Douglas at U18 and U23 level
Stat
Games played
Minutes played
Goals scored
Assists
Sourced by Transfermarkt
Yet, despite receiving such glowing praise and collecting an impressive 12 goals and nine assists from 66 appearances in youth circles to date, the 20-year-old is still without a Leeds first-team chance.
That could soon change, however, particularly if Farke wants to look more left-field for an Aaronson replacement, with the adaptable number 52 collecting ten of his 21 goal contributions for the U21s from the right wing spot, an area of the pitch that isn't best suited to the ex-Union Berlin man.
With Douglas' senior contract also only in play until next summer, it does feel as if it's make-or-break time for the young Englishman, if he wants to make an impression in the senior game.
Even lining up as a right-back and as a striker on occasion for the U21s, it's clear that Douglas is a jack of all trades.
Aaronson
But, in the here and now, with a goal and an assist next to his name in the Premier League 2 this season when playing predominantly down the right flank, he could be a shock replacement for Aaronson.