Former Leeds United favourite David Healy has delivered his verdict on Daniel Farke as pressure continues to build regarding his future.
Daniel Farke is in desperate need of a morale-boosting victory as his Leeds United side prepare to take on Aston Villa.
Leeds have not won a top-flight game against Villa in 22 years, highlighting the scale of the task that Farke faces as he looks to bounce back from Leeds’ defeat against Nottingham Forest.
If results go against Leeds, they could end the weekend as low as 19th in the Premier League table after a damaging run of form has seen them lose four of their last five games.
Now, former Leeds striker David Healy has thrown his support behind Farke, as the Leeds boss gears up for a crucial game.
The pressure is mounting on Daniel Farke… should Leeds United sack him?⌛
David Healy supports Leeds United manager Daniel Farke
Reports before the Forest game suggested that Farke had five games to save his job at Leeds, a run of games that got off to the worst possible start.
However, speaking to TalkSport Breakfast, Healy backed Farke to come through this difficult run of form and steer his side away from the relegation zone.
Farke said: “I do think Daniel needs to be given plenty of time. He’s done an incredible job there.
“I think it was Jamie O’Hara who started something, putting pressure on Daniel Farke online. He was trying to start a campaign to put Daniel Farke under pressure.
“By all accounts, again, it looks like Daniel is a top-class coach and manager. There have been some injuries; they need Calvert-Lewin, Jack Harrison, Piroe or Dan James to catch fire and start scoring goals.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s record vs Aston Villa
Healy referenced Leeds’ lack of goals, a recurring problem which has blighted Farke’s side so far this season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was relegated to the bench through injury against Forest, but is expected to be fit to face Villa, as he looks for his second goal of the season.
According to the data from TransferMarkt, Calvert-Lewin has enjoyed some individual success against Villa during his career, a cause for optimism for Leeds fans.
Leeds v Aston Villa head-to-head stats
Calvert-Lewin has faced Villa 10 times in all competitions, scoring three goals, with his most recent goal coming in Everton’s 3-2 away defeat at Villa Park last season.
However, Calvert-Lewin has only been on the winning side once against the men from Birmingham, losing six of the games in which he has featured and drawing three.
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