Maybe the biggest issue with the Premier League table for Daniel Farke is not that Leeds United are the joint second-lowest scorers or hover above the relegation zone after 11 matches, but more that it was so predictable.
In a world of newly promoted teams going straight back down more and more often, being outside of the bottom three at this stage could easily be classed as a success. The fact that a tightly condensed table only has them two points off 19th does not help the sense of unease at Elland Road.
The other big worry is that Farke's current average of one point per game (PPG) is almost twice as good as his record in the Premier League coming into this season. The German's struggles after gaining promotion twice with Norwich City are well established.
Before this season he had won just six of 49 matches in charge, accumulating 26 points at 0.53 per game. Within that he finished bottom twice but had them promoted in the middle.
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This is why there was genuine debate over moving on from him in the summer after lifting the Championship title. Is he actually good enough to make a real fist of staying up? For many, the answer was no and has been proven as such.
They have now conceded three goals in each of their last two games and have let in eight from three on the road. Since the opening day win over Everton the only sides to have been beaten by Leeds have changed manager (Wolves and West Ham).
Farke saw his side squander the chance to get three points against Bournemouth and then they were defeated by Burnley in a damaging loss just a few weeks later.
There was positivity from another defeat to Tottenham - and Leeds' underlying numbers are strong, ranking them closer to mid-table than the bottom - but that is not enough to satiate agitated supporters.
So new manager talk is rife. An international break brings speculation, so does a run of one win (four points) in six. Here are those who Leeds could turn to and why.
Marco Rose
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The former RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund boss is odds-on favourite to replace Farke if he is sacked and that would again show the strength of the Premier League. Here is a coach with experience in the Champions League and most established multi-club models in the world. He is linked with a relegation-threatened side in England.
Much like Unai Emery was a serious coup for Aston Villa, Rose would be a good get for Leeds. Ambitious, sure. Risky? Definitely. A not too welcome reminder of Jesse Marsch? Probably.
Rose has been out of a job since March when he was sacked by Leipzig. The 49-year-old does have a strong track record, though.
He has been at the top level before and has now had a rest. If Rose was given enough time to get Leeds going, he might be able to make an impact before it is too late.
With Emery (undoubtedly a step up from Rose before being picked up by Villa) there is evidence of how European coaches can come in and impress in England. Oliver Glasner did the same for Crystal Palace.
Again, he had won the Europa League but Rose can boast winning the German Cup two-and-a-half years ago on his CV as well as league title successes in Austria with RB Salzburg. Rose certainly isn't someone to sniff at.
Thiago Motta
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With links to ex-pros from the 2000s and 2010s, move away from Steven Gerrard and towards Thiago Motta. Given where the Italian was 20 months ago, seeing him end up in Yorkshire would be quite the shock.
Motta was all the rage for his impact at Bologna, where he brought an adventurous and attacking brand of football. He delivered their joint best finish for almost 10 years at the time and did it so well that Juventus came calling.
The time in Turin has seen his stock fall but it's fair enough to point out the unique and problematic circumstances around his time with the Old Lady. Could the 49s Enterprises give him a more settled base to build off?
Coming in mid-season is never ideal for a coach with complex tactical plans, and Motta is yet to really show the sort of grit that might be needed for a Premier League scrap, but he is the type of guy with a high ceiling and that may well appeal.
Motta and Rose would be a significant move away from firefighter managers of the past - namely Sam Allardyce and even Sean Dyche, now at Nottingham Forest. They would be more progressive appointments but not necessarily better.
There is a clear draw to the bigger European names but it comes with the potential to go wrong as well.
The best of the rest
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And now it's time to round up some of the other names reportedly in the mix.
Brendan Rodgers has unfinished business after leaving on a sour note at Leicester City. Whilst he could not keep them up during a catastrophic downturn in form, he did show the quality to transform a previously struggling team into a competitive one at the very top.
He is the sort of man who might align himself with the 49ers and do well. Then there is Steven Gerrard.
It's understandable why he wouldn't be the most popular pick. After all, Gerrard has had a number of failures since winning the league at Rangers and left Villa in a bad spot. What has he done to make taking the current Leeds job an appropriate career move for either party?
Naturally, his name will be thrown about but someone like Carlos Corberan has more credentials. The Spaniard is young (42) but has been around and has past associations with Leeds.
Carlos Corberan managerial record
Matches
Wins
Draws
Losses
Goals scored
Goals conceded
The fans would surely take to him given ties to Bielsa and the youth team. The issue would be getting him out of a job in Valencia, which prove harder to do than first thought.
Corberan has EFL experience from his time at West Brom and feels exactly like the sort of figure primed for a role in the Premier League sooner rather than later.
Gary O'Neil is the final person to consider. He has been harshly treated at Wolves and Bournemouth without doing too much wrong.
He knows the Premier League, has a broadly adaptable style of play, and is likeable. His Wolves departure will be concerning for Leeds but there is enough to O'Neil to make him a good candidate.