The new Championship season is just four days away as Leeds United prepare to take on Portsmouth at Elland Road on Saturday, and Ian Holloway has shared if he thinks Leeds will go up.
The Whites came within an inch of Premier League promotion and instant return to the top flight last season when they reached the play-off final at Wembley, only to lose 1-0 to Southampton in the capital.
Last season’s Championship campaign was one like no other, as the top-four sides created their own mini-league above the rest of the division. Leeds, Leicester and Ipswich all finished on 90 or move points.
But Leeds have been forced to do it all again, and they will have to do so without Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and Glen Kamara with the trio being sold for more than £70m this summer by The 49ers.
Ian Holloway shares if he thinks Leeds will be promoted this term
Last season, Leeds made a woeful start to the campaign as off-field matters impacted on-pitch form. Farke had to tend with half of his squad wanting to leave and even some refusing to play in matches.
One of those, in Willy Gnonto, is now a key player. Brenden Aaronson and Max Wober jumped ship but they are back at Elland Road. It is a new-look squad despite the Whites only making four signings.
Holloway told TalkSPORT (06/08, 7.56AM) “I felt for them. They kept as many of their good players as they could. I wouldn’t want their wage bill, to be honest, Daniel Farke is great and he could still get them up.”
Leeds still need to make three signings this summer
The return of Wober and Aaronson eases a few concerns in the squad. But, there are still holes that need filling in the transfer market and the biggest one is at full-back, with only three players filling two spots.
Sam Byram and Junior Firpo are somewhat injury prone, too. So Leeds need another full-back and maybe two to cover that position. Replacements for Kamara in midfield, and Summerville on the left wing too.
Plenty of work to do off the pitch as Leeds get down to business on it. Three points at home against newly-promoted Portsmouth will go a long way to convincing fans that the squad is ready to go up.
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