Never before has Daniel Farke faced more scrutiny and question marks around his Leeds United tenure. Fans are calling for his axe, but it looks as if the 49ers are going to hold on a bit longer.
Four defeats from five games, and five defeats in six away games have ruined what was a positive start to life back in the Premier League. Defeats to Burnley, Brighton, and Nottingham Forest have been dismal.
Daniel Farke is keen to point out that Leeds remain on schedule, in terms of securing a point a game. But, there is more to it. The Athletic says Leeds have the hardest run of games over the next 10 fixtures.
Up next, in-form Aston Villa, Pep Guardiola’s improving Man City, Conference League winners Chelsea and a Premier League champions Liverpool. Leeds will likely slip below the point-a-game line, soon.
Daniel Farke looks on during Nottingham Forest v Leeds United - Premier League
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Smyth says how many points Farke needs to save Leeds job
The next four games are incredibly tough, but this is the position Farke has put himself in. Having failed to get points against teams in and around them, Leeds will now need results against some of the best.
Speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast, Smyth thinks Leeds need to beat Aston Villa but failing to do that, and Leeds only manage a point, Smyth believes Leeds will need one or two in the three after Villa.
Asked: “Remove yourself from the fence, and have a guess as to how many points he would need to get to keep his job in December and January,” Smyth replied: “I think he’ll need to beat Aston Villa.
Daniel Farke during Leeds' defeat to Forest.
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images
“At the very least, really competitive against Villa. But if they draw against Villa, they need a point or two from the next three. You look at Haaland, the goalscoring form he is in, he’s monstering centre-backs.
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“Rodon is having a good season. Next to him, if Haaland is up against Bijol or Struijk, I worry. Liverpool is a team that doesn’t know how good it is, or have decided if they will be a title challenger,” Smyth added.
“If they play like they did against Real Madrid, I don’t give Leeds a chance. But they haven’t all season, so maybe there’s an opportunity. They’re going to have to perform out of their skins; eradicate the errors.”
Predicting Leeds United’s next four fixtures
LeedsUnited.News understands Farke will be given until January to save his Leeds tenure. So, Leeds fans will have to strap in and move on from the thought that Leeds could have a new manager in the dugout.
Aston Villa comes first, on the 23rd. Then it is Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool in the space of a week. The one saving grace for Farke and Leeds is that three of those four games are at Elland Road after the break.
Date Opposition Venue Prediction Previous result
23rd November Aston Villa Elland Road 2-2 Draw 2-1 Villa (Jan 23)
29th November Man City The Etihad 3-0 City 2-1 City (May 23)
3rd December Chelsea Elland Road 2-1 Chelsea 3-2 Chels (Feb 24)
6th December Liverpool Elland Road 3-2 Liverpool 6-1 Liv (Apr 23)
Leeds have eight points from five games at home, losing only once to two deflected goals against Spurs in a game that actually, Leeds should have won. Aston Villa is the game Leeds will need to get a result.
Man City away is almost a formality, but Chelsea are indifferent and have lost to Sunderland. As Smyth says, Liverpool are unpredictable and yet to fire on all cylinders. But it could easily be four defeats.