The last few Premier League seasons have seen newly-promoted sides struggle. But Leeds United, Sunderland, and Burnley are proving that won’t be the case this season, according to Paul Merson.
Sunderland’s form is something no-one saw coming. Regis Le Bris really went for it in the transfer window and it is paying off, with The Black Cats beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and now sitting in fourth.
A third win of the season came in the form of a 2-1 victory over West Ham for Leeds at Elland Road last Friday, and Daniel Farke’s men now have 11 points from nine games. A very solid start in the top tier.
Leeds remain above the point-a-game curve, while two wins in a row for Burnley sees Scott Parker’s side sit just behind Leeds in 16th, with 10 points. Jamie Carragher thinks it is forcing clubs to sack managers.
Paul Merson in agreement with Jamie Carragher amid Leeds form
Carragher said “the actual fear of relegation” is back because the newly-promoted sides are competitive, when discussing Graham Potter at West Ham, and Unai Emery at Villa. Emery has since won four in a row.
But Potter has become Sweden manager after being sacked by West Ham. In his Sky Sports’ column this week, Merson said: “A few owners will be worried after the starts of Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley.
“They will be thinking they should have had more of a go in the transfer window. They’ve been lazy. The likes of Wolves and West Ham near the bottom have been caught in a trap,” the Arsenal icon continued.
“They’ve thought there is no point in spending big money because they won’t get relegated. In the past few years, the sides that have come up haven’t been good enough, but that is not the case this season.
“Now, they will be panicking and there will be plenty of clubs sweating on the January transfer window. But the way the promoted teams are going, it may be too late,” Merson summarised in his take on Leeds.
No newly-promoted club has been relegated in Leeds’ position
There is still plenty for Leeds to do, especially with Farke’s men facing two difficult away games in their next two games, ahead of the November break. Brighton away on Saturday, then Nottingham Forest.
But no newly-promoted club has ever been relegated after achieving 11 or more points from their first 10 games. Leeds have reached 11 points already, with a game in hand on that stat. An impressive start.
However, there is every chance that Leeds could go into the November break without picking up a point from the next two games and the pressure will be right back on. Leeds have to maintain this form.
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