Leeds United are in a four-way battle to avoid being relegated from the Premier League under Daniel Farke, currently above Spurs, Nottingham Forest and West Ham.
Only eight games remain in the Premier League relegation battle, and for Leeds, there are a handful of favourable home fixtures awaiting.
Should Daniel Farke pick up the results many are expecting, there shouldn’t be much to worry about. However, it’s easier said than done assuring wins in the top flight.
Ex-Premier League man Nedum Onuoha discusses Leeds United’s Premier League relegation scrap
Hitting peak form now for Leeds would be perfect for the relegation scrap. Since December, Leeds have been more than competitive enough to steer clear of the bottom three, but we only have three points between us and 18th.
The concern is a springtime collapse. Last time Leeds were in a position to stay up under Javi Gracia, we totally capitulated, picking up two points in our last nine games of the season.
Former QPR and Manchester City centre-back Nedum Onuoha believes a dip in form would be curtains for anyone down there. Leeds are currently three clear of 18th-placed West Ham. Nottingham Forest are outside the relegation zone on goal difference in 17th, and Spurs are a point above in 16th.
“If you fall out of form now, in the middle of March, that is it,” Onuoha said on The Ripple Effect podcast. “That’s a tough thing to get your mind around.
“You can look at your list of games and think we’ve got a chance in this one, a chance in that one. But, for all the teams that are down there at the bottom now, who’s to sat that any of those down there might not lose eight games in a row?”
Nedum Onuoha outlines Leeds United advantage over Spurs and others in relegation battle
You could argue each side has the characteristics needed to stay in the division this season. Spurs and Forest perhaps have the best quality on paper, West Ham are in the best form at the moment, while Leeds are the most ‘together’ as a group.
That mentality could go a very long way, according to Onuoha. He was asked if what would be the best facet to have in a relegation battle: good defenders, a good goal scorer, set piece threat, intensity, or mentality and spirit within the group.
“Even though I was a defender, I’m not really bothered about the two good defenders,” Onuoha answered. “If they were that good, you wouldn’t be down there anyway.
“It’s more so about the collective. The collective way you defend is ultimately what you’re going to hang your hat on.”
Looking towards who’s in the dugout, Onuoha doesn’t believe the notion of hiring a manager on ‘vibes’ alone is that helpful at this stage.
“Especially when your team, man for man, isn’t better than the opposition, I don’t think a vibes guy is going to be the answer,” he added. “I think someone that can instil belief, but give a plan that suits the players is a bigger deal.”
Can Leeds United show the grit to avoid relegation from the Premier League?
Two wins and two draws should be enough from hereon to get Leeds over the line in the Premier League. Can we do that with the games remaining?
It should be very possible, with the likes of Wolves and Burnley coming to Elland Road after the international break.
What is crucial for Leeds is that Farke is doing what Onuoha is saying. He’s instilled a real belief into this side alongside a tactical structure that suits his squad.
Meanwhile, you look at Spurs, who have a lot of injuries granted. But, they’ve only just shown even the slightest bit of fight in March. If Liverpool weren’t haplessly unorganised, Spurs lose that game by three or four.
That Richarlison equaliser could be a false dawn for Spurs. If that’s so, it leaves them needing a real overhaul both in quality and mentality.
For Leeds, the task is simple, can we accrue the same amount of points in the last eight games as at least one of these teams? Achieving that means survival.
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