Gary Neville
Leeds United lost to Arsenal at Elland Road a few weeks ago, and things looked bad. Other teams in and around them at the bottom were picking up fixtures.
So fans were worried when the Whites were set to face Nottingham Forest. But Daniel Farke’s side delivered on the night, cruising to victory at Elland Road. That win put three points between themselves and Forest in the battle for survival.
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This past week, the Whites also managed a huge result over Chelsea. No one really gave the team a chance at Stamford Bridge; and on the night, the game looked to be over after the hour mark. Leeds were down 2-0 to Chelsea but the introduction of Noah Okafor completely changed the game, and within the space of 20 minutes, the Whites had scored two goals to tie the game.
Gary Neville gives honest verdict on Leeds United
Leeds are now in 15th place in the Premier League above Spurs and Nottingham Forest. They are also currently six points above West Ham in the relegation zone. This would have been an impossible feat around November, when the club were in the relegation zone after a poor run of results. Now they have turned things around, and look like leading candidates to beat the drop.
Gary Neville has been speaking about Leeds United on the Stick To Football podcast, saying that he saw them play live in games last year and he was convinced they could clinch safety:
“I watched Leeds twice in late November or December and thought they could be okay. It changed that week that I watched them.”
Up next for the Whites is an FA Cup game against Championship side Birmingham City.
December run of results set the team up for success
Around November, the pressure was really on for Daniel Farke and his side. Leeds were dropping points in crucial games and struggled to even get points on the board. But things changed in that defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad – when Farke decided to go for it in the second half. It laid the blueprint that has seen the Whites continue to climb up the table.
The new system has brought the best out of many players in the team; Leeds have been playing their best football since the end of last year. And the results have not been flukes, they have earned each and every point and could have arguably gotten more. The focus will be from now till the end of the season, with 12 games to go, Daniel Farke has to guide his team to safety. His team selection and tactics must be spot on if the club wants to stand a chance at survival.
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