Leeds United are not winning games right now, but Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis both believe that might not matter in the race for Premier League survival.
Leeds sit 15th in the Premier League on 33 points with seven games to play, and the mood around Elland Road is understandably tense. Two 0-0 draws against Crystal Palace and Brentford before the international break summed up their current situation.
They are hard to beat, but they are not scoring goals. For McCarthy and Pulis, that balance could still be enough to keep Leeds in the division.
How many points do Leeds need now?
Farke reckons 5-7.
They are not getting beat and that counts
Speaking on the situation, life-long Leeds fan Mick McCarthy made it clear where he stands. Leeds are not in freefall, and that matters more than anything else at this stage of the season.
“They’re not getting beat,” he said on The Managers podcast. “I’ve supported Leeds since I was a kid. They’re not getting beat, went down to 10 men, not getting beat.
Mick McCarthy looks on during Blackpool v Cardiff City - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Dave Howarth – CameraSport via Getty Images
“Poor game against Brentford, who might get into Europe, but didn’t get beat. If they keep getting a point a game, they’ll stay up. Wolves, Burnley and Spurs. I think the others have got momentum.”
It is a simple argument, but one backed by the numbers. Leeds have gone six games without a win, yet they have avoided defeat in key moments, including going down to 10 men and still picking up a result.
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If Leeds take McCarthy’s point-per-game route across their final seven fixtures, they would finish on 40 points. That total has historically been enough to survive.
It would comfortably clear the 38-point mark that kept them up in the 2021–22 season. This is not a side collapsing under pressure. It is one grinding through games, even when performances fall short.
Clean sheets giving Leeds a platform
Tony Pulis agrees with the overall outlook, but he pointed to the obvious issue. Leeds are struggling badly in front of goal. He said: “Leeds are struggling to score goals at the moment, so they’ll be nervous.
Tony Pulis while in charge at Sheffield Wednesday.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
“But I think Leeds will be ok, they’re keeping clean sheets and they’ll nick enough points to stay up. Fingers crossed, because I really like the manager there. He’s a really good lad,” Pulis added, on Farke.
That defensive base is now doing the heavy lifting. Back-to-back clean sheets against Palace and Brentford underline the shift, even if the attacking output has stalled.
Leeds have now gone four games without scoring, which is a concern that cannot be ignored. But the flip side is clear. They are staying in games, limiting damage, and giving themselves a chance to take something. At this stage of the season, that is often enough.
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How many points is actually enough
Daniel Farke has remained calm throughout, suggesting that 33 points is already a solid platform. Speaking recently, he described that tally as “quite good” given the circumstances.
It is impossible not to love Daniel Farke 😆
The fire beast with some more magic!
Not everyone agrees. Alan Shearer has indicated that the survival line could be higher, reflecting how tight the bottom half of the table remains.
The most relevant comparison is Leeds’ own recent history. In 2021–22, they survived with 38 points and needed a final-day result to do it.
Leeds now need roughly five more points to reach that level. That could be achieved with a single win and two draws, or by following McCarthy’s model and continuing to pick up steady points.
The run-in is not straightforward, but the equation is clear. Keep avoiding defeat, and the numbers will take care of themselves. This is not comfortable, and it is not convincing. But it is controlled.
McCarthy and Pulis are right to focus on what Leeds are doing well rather than what they are lacking. Goals are the obvious problem, but defensive resilience is keeping them alive.
In a relegation battle, that often proves to be the difference. Leeds are not winning, but crucially, they are not losing either. And that might just be enough.
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