LEEDS, ENGLAND - MARCH 05: Daniel Farke, Manager of Leeds United gives a thumbs the fans after the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Stoke City at Elland Road on March 05, 2024 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
There are plenty of reasons for Leeds United supporters to be cheerful heading into their September fixture programme. The team’s defensive shape and organisation has drastically improved following a rocky start to the season.
It was vitally important the Whites got back to basics after their Middlesbrough mauling. Whatever Daniel Farke and his coaching staff did post-Boro has worked a treat, with United recording three consecutive clean sheets.
Back-to-back wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City ensured the Whites went into the international break unbeaten in the Championship. They are fourth and only four points adrift of early pacesetters Sunderland.
Are United firing on all cylinders yet? No. Will they have go up another level or two over the comings week? Undoubtedly, as three of the next batch of five matches are away from Elland Road.
But Farke has got four shiny new signings in Large Ramazani, Manor Solomon, Ao Tanaka and Isaac Schmidt. Farke will be hoping the quartet quickly acclimatise to their new surroundings and establish themselves as key men in his side. Solomon made an instant impact against Hull, brilliantly creating Mateo Joseph’s opener, while Ramazani and Tanaka also acquitted performed well after coming off the bench. Those players will get to grips with Farke’s way of playing in time.
Farke’s attacking options will further swell when Daniel James and Patrick Bamford both return from injury. Hamstring problems ruled the duo out of Hull clash.
James’ “minor” knock prevented him from going away on international duty with Wales but Farke is optimistic he will be available for Saturday’s mouth-watering tussle with Burnley. It would be a big boost to have James back in the fold for what looks, on paper, one of United’s toughest assignments of the season.
And there is also a chance that Bamford could be involved in some capacity against the Clarets. It has been a frustrating start to the season for Bamford but he does offer Farke a different option up front. His experience and ability to bring others into play came to the fore in United’s long winning run that propelled them into the top-two mix last year.
Both James and Bamford have got big parts to play on and off the pitch if Farke’s men are to achieve their promotion dream.
