Leeds United
It is still early days in the Premier League season but clubs like Fulham and Leeds United are already finding themselves in uncomfortable positions in the league. The table has been slowly taking shape in the past few weeks.
Now, the top half of the table is pulling away, while clubs find out where their battle lies for the rest of the season. Three points separate teams from the 19th position to the 14th position in the Premier League. It is increasingly looking like Fulham, Leeds, Burnley, West Ham, Forest and Wolves are set for a season fighting relegation.
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Leeds had the chance to distance themselves from the relegation zone this past weekend, but blew a perfect opportunity. They lost 3-1 to Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest side who played midweek in Austria and had just one league win all season. It was a poor showing from the Whites who went to the City Ground off the back of another humbling the week before, losing 3-0 at Brighton. Now, the pressure seems to be mounting on Daniel Farke as the weeks go on.
Fulham boss under pressure after recent results
One surprising team near the bottom half of the table is Fulham. Marco Silva’s side are level on points with Leeds United this season. Things have not gone well for the Portuguese coach; his team have only won one league game since September.
Fulham beat Leeds United in the first game back from the international break. It was the game in which Farke decided to experiment with the team after a poor run of form. The London club were lucky to escape with a win courtesy of a late own goal from Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Now, weeks on from that defeat and with no improvement from the Cottagers, TalkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs is reporting that Fulham are seriously considering sacking Silva at this point in the season. The 48-year old is out of contract next summer, and has so far refused to pen a new deal. This is believed to be one of the factors behind a possible decision from the board. It would be ridiculous to get rid of Silva now; its too early in the season to make such a huge judgement call but such is the nature of the Premier League these days, it would not be surprising.
Silva brought Fulham back up to the Premier League and has kept them there for four seasons now. If anything, their board should trust the Portuguese coach much more than they are now, especially after the club spent very little in the summer transfer window. Daniel Farke is currently in a similar situation at Leeds United and it seems inevitable that the German will be sacked at some point.
Leeds United could benefit from Fulham’s woes
If Fulham do dump Silva, then a door opens for Leeds. Harry Wilson could become available once again; the winger was a target in the summer, but a deal fell through. Wilson is a free agent this summer, but Sky Sports have reported that Silva wants to tie him down long-term.
And that means that if Silva departs Craven Cottage, Wilson will most likely not be a Fulham player in the summer. This opens the door for Leeds to attempt to sign the 28-year old – his current contract status could see the Whites get him on a cut-price deal.
Not only could Leeds benefit in this area, but there is also a feeling that Fulham would become even more vulnerable to relegation if they sacked Silva. Though their form has not been great, there is still a feeling that he will have enough to keep the West London outfit above the relegation zone given his knowhow and Premier League experience. Should Fulham sack him, they set themselves up for a mess if the new manager does not get a tune out of a group of players already low on confidence.
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