Even in Daniel Farke’s wildest dreams, the German manager could not have envisaged Leeds United going seven Premier League games unbeaten. Yet, on Sunday, they did.
Leeds have managed to remain unbeaten amid a run of fixtures that has included two games against Liverpool, Palace, Chelsea and Man United. Leeds also faced Sunderland and Brentford on the road.
How many more points do Leeds need to survive? 📉
Farke has said a point a game will be enough…
Daniel Farke has taken his side from 18th and in the relegation zone, to eight points clear of the drop zone. An incredible run of form that any established club would be proud of, not least a promoted one.
Leeds fans and even Farke were slightly disappointed that they failed to beat Man United on Sunday, having taken the lead through Brenden Aaronson. But a 1-1 draw against Man United is a solid result.
Daniel Farke discusses details of today’s Leeds team meeting
Newcastle away is up next for Leeds, and it will be incredibly tough for the Whites to maintain their unbeaten run on Tyneside. Eddie Howe has watched his side win their last two, to climb into ninth.
But the Leeds squad remain grounded. They have opened up a gap on the relegation zone, and Gary Neville believes Tuesday’s clash between Forest and West Ham will have a huge say on survival.
Speaking to reporters on Monday in his pre-Newcastle press conference, Farke said that he and the Leeds squad held a team meeting today, and discussed how Man United’s goal was avoidable on Sunday.
Farke has already criticised Lucas Perri for his involvement. The Leeds manager also shared how the team spoke of there being more to come: “Always more to come. There have been many good performances.
“The goal is avoidable. We could have played better in possession. We even spoke today, self-critical, and how there is more to come. Important we see the whole picture, we don’t lose ground under our feet.”
Realistically, how long can Leeds United’s unbeaten run go on for?
Daniel Farke has overseen Leeds' longest Premier League unbeaten run since David O'Leary in 2001
The slight elephant emerging into the room at Leeds United
Being able to go in on Monday morning, having just hosted Man United and being able to say that Leeds are still unbeaten after seven games must be some feeling for the players and all that who are connected.
But an elephant is making its way into the Leeds room. It is that Leeds are still not putting wins on the board as much as they might like, and while it is seven unbeaten, it is just two wins in seven games.
Indeed, it is three wins in 15 games. While the fixture list has been tough over the Christmas period, Leeds need a win in the next couple of games to really assert their lead over those in the relegation zone.
Whether that comes at Newcastle, it seems unlikely. But Leeds do have games against Everton, Fulham and Nottingham Forest on the horizon. It is crucial that the Whites pick up a win or two in that run.
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