Leeds United face Nottingham Forest tomorrow knowing that defeat at the City Ground drags them very close to the relegation zone.
United’s first 10 games this season have brought a respectable points tally of 11, a rate that would have them break the magic 40-point total if they maintained it until May.
The issue for Daniel Farke is the consistent struggles to create chances, as well as performances dropping off. Most notably, Leeds have looked feeble on the road as a trip to Nottingham Forest looms.
Most Read on LeedsAllOver
Nottingham Forest v Leeds United: Would defeat at the City Ground leave Daniel Farke facing the sack?
It’s remarkable how quickly the mood amongst a fanbase can shift. After West Ham, Farke was rightly being praised for his work to dispatch of a relegation rival – granted a truly horrendous one.
At home, Leeds have been generally very good. And, if Leeds are to stay in this division, what Farke has built at Elland Road is going to be crucial, regardless of how long he remains in the position.
Leeds United’s performances at home and away are incredibly contrasting. (Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough)
However, on the road is where Leeds are notably short of Premier League quality. Whether it’s the squad being unable to bring about match-winning individual performances, or Farke not being able to adapt his system to suit different games and opposition, something has to change away from home.
Wolves away was as perfect an away performance as you can expect. But, against actually competent opposition, Leeds have collected zero points on their travels.
Should Leeds continue their wretched away form, and perform as badly as they did at Brighton, it might be enough to tip Paraag Marathe and co into considering Farke’s position.
If Leeds United do want to consider Daniel Farke being sacked, they cannot hesitate
It’s a tough position that the 49ers find themselves in. Farke is keeping Leeds competitive in the battle to stay up, which is a drastic improvement on what other sides have done before him in the division.
However, with the fixture list coming up, there’s every chance Leeds find themselves needing to get points on the board against some of the best, or most in-form sides in the league – such as Aston Villa, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Crystal Palace.
If Leeds intend to stick it out with Farke, as the previous ownership did with Jesse Marsch, there’s a worry that the situation unravels further to the point where it’s a mountain to climb in January onwards.
Marsch was backed to turn things around, bought time by fluke wins against Liverpool and Bournemouth pre-2022 World Cup. Ironically, Andrea Radrizzani finally pulled the trigger after a damaging defeat away at Nottingham Forest in February ’23.
If Leeds are weighing up sacking Farke, whether they’re right or wrong for doing it, they need to be decisive and have an ideal manager in mind. No messing around like what unfolded at Rangers recently.
There’s enough in this squad to lodge a successful survival bid, and if the club no longer believe Farke is the man to achieve that, they need to be ready for that tough decision.
An international break after tomorrow’s game may be another reason for it, should Forest away not go our way.
Read more: The wildcard change I’d suggest to help Daniel Farke keep his job…