Leeds United have been told that the deck was stacked against them financially following their return to the Premier League after a bumpy start to the campaign.
Daniel Farke was powerless to change the direction of travel in Leeds’ game against Brighton, as the Whites succumbed to a 3-0 defeat.
The loss left Leeds nervously looking over their shoulder in the Premier League relegation battle, as sides below them began to find their feet in the competition.
Although Leeds conceded three on the south coast, their lack of cutting edge was concerning again, which could be further compounded by concerns over the fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Now, as Leeds’ poor end to the transfer window is compounded by a stuttering start to the season, Leeds’ board have been defended due to the lack of flexibility under the PSR rules.
Daniel Farke applauds Leeds United fans after a Premier League defeat at Brighton
Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images
‘Deck is stacked against’ Leeds United and Daniel Farke
Speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast, co-host Chris O’Connor defended the club against accusations that the recruitment team failed to do their job by leaving Farke short in attack.
Sunderland’s successful start has led to inevitable comparisons with Leeds. However, O’Connor argued that it was most likely impossible for the club to give Farke all the tools he needed to stay up.
He said: “The deck is stacked against you in terms of FFP and getting promoted at the moment.
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“That if we’re led to believe, I don’t know much about football ownership, I don’t know much about our ownership, you know, it’s all very murky when you try and look at where money is. But from what I’ve been led to believe, there is money that could have been spent, which we couldn’t.
“So, in terms of the fact that we were trying to navigate within a field that is stacked against you, and that maybe it was impossible to give Farke everything he needed to stay up, have they kind of done the best job possible? I mean, we were still trying to sign people on deadline day.
“They were obviously, even though they reached their limit, they were probably still trying to sign players and then giving themselves some wiggle room down the line to try and justify it. And Wilson probably would have been a good signing. He scored again against Wolves.”
Leeds United's Paraag Marathe with Adam Underwood, Robbie Evans, and more in directors box
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Leeds United need to find a way to strengthen in January
While Leeds were undoubtedly constrained by the current profit and sustainability rules, the collapsed deal to bring Harry Wilson to the club showed there was some room to add to the squad.
Leeds United News previously revealed that Leeds are hoping to add at least two more players to the squad in January. However, these will most likely be loan deals.
Joe Gelhardt and Mateo Joseph’s strong performances on loan with Hull City and RCD Mallorca, respectively, could also help Leeds find some spare change under the sofa, as player sales completed before 30th June can be used to offset January spending.
Either way, the evidence of the season to date suggests that Farke needs reinforcements. With several crucial games between now and January, fans will be concerned that it may be too little too late.