Gary McAllister has given his thoughts ahead of Sunday's clash with Nottingham Forest
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
07:30, 08 Nov 2025
Daniel Farke needs a result at Nottingham Forest
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Daniel Farke needs a result at Nottingham Forest(Image: AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Leeds United legend Gary McAllister knows a thing or two about winning a title. The former midfielder lifted the 1991/92 First Division title under Howard Wilkinson - the last English manager to win the top-flight - while playing at Elland Road.
This newly-promoted Leeds team will not be competing for the crown any time soon, with this season’s mission simply to stay in the division. In order to do that, boss Daniel Farke needs to start gaining points away from home.
The only result Leeds have managed to earn in five away Premier League trips is the 3-1 win away at bottom club Wolves in September, which is also the sole occasion in which they have scored on the road.
The pressure will be on Farke to prompt a response from his team later today against Nottingham Forest, following an awful showing during last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton. McAllister says he would like to see his former club adopt a more forthright approach.
“There was no physicality against Brighton. So I think away from home, it's just showing a wee bit more grip and then getting that balance of how many people you commit ahead of the ball,” he told Leeds Live.
“The game at the weekend is against a team that's below them, so going to the City Ground, they've got to go there and be aggressive and look to Dominic Calvert-Lewin - just get the ball up to him.”
As it happens, Calvert-Lewin - who has just one goal in eight Premier League games for Leeds - is a doubt for the game with an adductor issue and faces a late fitness test. If not fit, Lukas Nmecha will come in as a like-for-like swap in terms of striker profile.
Whoever leads the line, McAllister says Leeds have got to play with an intent to win. After the international break comes a torrential run of Aston Villa at home and Manchester City away before back-to-back games against Chelsea and Liverpool at Elland Road in the space of four days.
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“Just looking at those four fixtures - they are proper big ties,” said McAllister. “But the thing is, they've got three of them at home as well. So the Nottingham Forest game is not a must-win by a long way. We’re nowhere near that part of the season.
"But it’s going there and getting a positive performance and showing the willingness to go try and win the game. Realising it's a game that we can go and take to Forest.
“Because they're in a tough little period with the change of managers. It's not a settled camp there. They've brought one of their own in, so to speak, in Sean Dyche, so the fans are behind them.
“It's going to be a tight game. I think if we can go there and get a result, that would be positive. But I don't think we should go there looking to play for a draw.
“I think it's the game we should be on the front foot in and go and take it to Forest because they're in a mixed place at the moment. We can make it difficult for Forest.”
Dyche - Forest’s third manager of the season already - has yet to register a Premier League win, following an opening defeat to Bournemouth and a 2-2 draw with Manchester United. As for Leeds, the pressure will turn up on Farke if Dyche’s first Forest win comes on Sunday.
Gary McAllister speaking with Leeds Live via Casino.org, the popular resource known for helping Brits find the best online casinos in the UK.
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