The final international break of 2024 is here, which means Leeds United and their Championship promotion rivals are able to take stock ahead of one of the busiest periods of the campaign.
A third of the season has been played, but when Leeds return to action following the break they will face seven games before Christmas in what is often a pivotal part of the year.
Daniel Farke’s men currently sit third in the table, two points behind Sunderland and Sheffield United who occupy the automatic promotion spots.
There will be countless twists and turns before either of the top two spots are confirmed, but Leeds’ form so far has many tipping them to get the job done this time and seal a return to the Premier League without having to go into the playoffs.
Perhaps the best endorsement of all comes from the men employed to try and stop them – rival managers from across the rest of the Championship. Here is a look at what some of them have said after facing Leeds this term.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  SunderlandSunderland | 15 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 25 | 11 | 14 | 31 |
| 2 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 15 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 19 | 7 | 12 | 31 |
| 3 |  LeedsLeeds | 15 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 24 | 9 | 15 | 29 |
| 4 |  BurnleyBurnley | 15 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 18 | 6 | 12 | 27 |
| 5 |  West BromWest Brom | 15 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 25 |
Wayne Rooney: ‘Anything but promotion will be a failure’
Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth side were swept aside 3-0 in an extremely one-side clash at Elland Road, with the former Manchester United man left with no choice but to sing their praises.
“Leeds are a fantastic team, difficult team to play against,” he said. “From our point of view we’re trying to improve. We’ve got young lads coming on, it’s a good atmosphere at a big club.
“I’m sure if you ask their manager, anything but promotion for Leeds will be failure. I’m sure that’s the mesage he’s getting. No doubt they’ll be one of the teams fighting for the top two places.”
Neil Harris: ‘The best team I’ve seen this season’
Millwall boss Neil Harris has plenty of history with Leeds United and will have been thrilled to beat the Whites 1-0, but still had plenty of praise for Farke and company.
“I want to praise Daniel Farke,” he said. “He’s a top coach and he has a very, very good team there – the best team I’ve seen this season.
“I can’t see who comes above them in the league from what I have seen so far. I’ve not seen everybody in person, but they’re the best team we have played, so it’s a special win for us.”
Chris Wilder: “We got done by the better side”
Chris Wilder is never shy in giving his take on Leeds and conceded they were second best when the two sides met last month.
“We got done by the better side – they were better in all departments from the off,” he said following Leeds’ 2-0 win at Elland Road last month.
“They won more first balls, dropped on second balls, were sharper to everything and are by far and away the best team that we’ve played all season.
“They’ve got quality right the way through and they’ve done that to other teams as well this season.
“We’re disappointed with our performance – the spotlight will go on why did we change it? It would have been quite easy for me not to change it, but we felt this was the best opportunity of getting a result here.”
Regis Le Bris: ‘A tough game against a strong team’
Leeds were a last-gasp Illan Meslier error away from beating Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last month, with Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris reflecting on the nature of the result.
“We are happy for the final result because I think it was a tough game against a strong team,” he said.
“In the end I think we deserved that draw. Even if the goal is lucky, for the whole balance of the game, the way we played and the way we adapted our structure it was a good point for us.”
Johannes Hoff Thorup: ‘Really, really impressive’
Leeds drew 1-1 at Carrow Road at the start of October, with Canaries boss Johannes Hoff Thorup pleased to come away with a point.
“From minute one to the last minute, I think what they did was really, really impressive.
“We spoke about it before the game that there would definitely be moments tonight where we would have to put in a defensive solid performance, with support to each other, tracking back the metres, and I think definitely we saw that.”
Mark Robins: ‘A different proposition’
Leeds cantered to a 3-0 Elland Road win over Coventry City in September, with the Sky Blues’ then-boss Mark Robins admitting there was a gulf in class between the two sides.
“Leeds is a different proposition than us. They’ve been in the Premier League a couple of seasons ago and then missed out last season. They have sold over £100million worth of talent but replaced them with very good players.”
Scott Parker: ‘Such a tough place to come’
Burnley are the only away side to win at Elland Road this season, something which clearly delighted Clarets boss Scott Parker.
“It’s a massive three points, especially at such a tough place to come and where we are in the stages of our development as well,” he said following the 1-0 victory.
“The foundation that got us the result was everything we stand for as a team – grit, determination and battling spirit to a man.
“We showed every bit of that, which was the reason we got the three points, and it was a brilliant finish from Luca.
Tim Walter: ‘Leeds killed us today’
Leeds claimed an early-season 2-0 win over Hull at Elland Road, which left boss Tim Walter frustrated.
“We conceded a goal in a bad moment and then it’s a different game – and that’s how it went,” he said.
“We then conceded a second goal at the end and Leeds are a good team. But it’s not necessary to lose here and that’s why I’m frustrated.
“We didn’t score in the moments we had, especially before half-time, but we need conviction. You have to show me that you want to score and I didn’t see that today.
“Leeds killed us today, but we have to keep going.”
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