The feeling for those of a Leeds United persuasion after defeat to Nottingham Forest is a low one. But no one will be feeling it more than Daniel Farke after Sunday’s 3-1 defeat.
It started so well. Leeds had taken the lead, and it was one of Farke’s two changes that got the goal. An assist for Brenden Aaronson, who continues to start under Farke, and a super finish from Lukas Nmecha.
But that was about as good as it got for Leeds. Eventually, Forest came roaring back. They had their first moments after Leeds opened the scoring, Lucas Perri palming straight to midfielder Ibrahim Sangare.
Morgan Gibbs-White got on the end of an Omari Hutchinson cross to make it 2-1 and late on, Elliott Anderson made it 3-1 after Jack Harrison conceded a penalty. Another dismal display, another defeat.
Leeds v Forest.
Photo by James Holyoak/MB Media/Getty Images
How the away end responded with Daniel Farke under pressure
Before the game, reports said that Farke’s tenure would be judged on the next five matches. Well, the first has started with a defeat and now, Farke has to survive the international break before facing Aston Villa.
Leeds then face Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool. It is easily conceivable that Leeds will fail to pick up any points during the next four games and that will almost certainly take them into the relegation zone.
Graham Smyth reported on X how the away end reacted after the 3-1 defeat to Forest. While there was some applause for the Leeds players and Farke, there were also some supporters fed up with the form.
Smyth posted on X: “There’s some applause from the away end and there’s angry gestures too. Decidely mixed response.”
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
Why The 49ers could choose to sack Daniel Farke very soon
Rewinding to the end of the calendar year in 2022, Leeds had a decision to make. Jesse Marsch had just won games against Liverpool and Bournemouth, but on the whole, his side were struggling to survive.
His tactics, his press conferences, his work in the transfer window, all under scrutiny. But the board, which included The 49ers and Paraag Marathe, chose to retain Marsch during the winter World Cup break.
Leeds United and 49ers Enterprises president Paraag Marathe walks along the touchline at Elland Road
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
It didn’t work. Marsch was sacked by February 2023, and Leeds failed to replace him with the calibre of manager capable of saving Leeds because there was no attraction. Leeds looked like they were down.
The 49ers do not want to make the same mistake they did with Marsch. So, there is every chance that Leeds could make a decision on Farke during the November break, especially with the run coming up.