Why the next two months will be pivotal for Leeds' survival bid — Mail 31/8/25
Why the next two months will be pivotal for Leeds' survival bid - and the position they desperately need to invest in after Newcastle draw, writes AADAM PATEL
By AADAM PATEL
As one of the Newcastle coaching staff described it
post-match: ‘If that was on in my back garden, I’d have pulled up the
curtains.’
This was that kind of game where neither Leeds or Newcastle
could find that killer edge in front of goal - the combined expected goals
(1.01) of both sides was the lowest in the Premier League since January.
But for Leeds, this was ultimately a step in the right
direction with a battling performance after a grim week which saw questions of
both their tactical approach and their recruitment strategy.
Ultimately, four points in three games - with two against
Champions League sides - makes for a solid start and the fact they are yet to
concede at home spoke volumes of just how well they have set up at Elland Road
and how tough they will be to beat.
‘I don’t think anyone in the stands or journalists can say
that we don’t play with confidence or that we are scared,’ said Ilia Gruev. ‘We
played with courage and self-belief,’ he added.
By the time Leeds next play at home, it will be over a year
since Daniel Farke’s side lost a league game at Elland Road.
‘They will be competitive (this season),’ admitted Newcastle
boss Eddie Howe. ‘All three clubs have recruited very well, which is the key.
There's been a lot of money spent this year to bridge the gap. But coming here
is never easy, regardless of the time of year or the situation Leeds are in and
we knew that,’ Howe added.
Talking about recruitment, Leeds have made nine signings,
spending just shy of £100M and Farke is content with his keeper, defence and
midfield for now.
But across these 90 minutes and the games against Everton
and Arsenal, his side have scored just once and that came from the penalty
spot. With less than 48 hours before the window closes, that quality up top is
fundamentally what Leeds need more of, with Farke admitting it will be
‘difficult’ to stay up if they don’t.
‘It’s not a concern,’ he said, when asked by Daily Mail
Sport. ‘But yes, in the dominant periods we have to be a bit more effective.
This comes with quality players. I’m happy with our approach and how we
dominate games at times but it’s important that we reward ourselves during
these periods. For that, you need quality and players who score goals and
assist at this level and that’s why we’re speaking about adding this quality.
It’s not a concern but it’s something we’re aware of as a club,’ Farke added.
The likes of Lukas Nmecha, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah
Okafor have all come in from an attacking perspective, but it is no secret that
Leeds have missed out on a number of targets, with Igor Paixao choosing
Marseille and Facundo Buonanotte opting for Chelsea at the last minute. Names
like Bilal El Khannouss, Dilane Bakwa and Eduard Spertsyan are all on the radar
and for the Leeds hierarchy, adding at least one more attacking player is the
priority before the window shuts.
For all their grit on Saturday, the closest they came to
scoring was when Dominic Calvert-Lewin tested Nick Pope late on but his effort
was straight at Nick Pope. Calvert-Lewin must be wondering how he hasn’t opened
his Leeds account yet but if he can get firing and stay fit then that
particular gamble will be justified. It’s a big if.
Lukas Nmecha got the nod ahead of Joel Piroe to start up top
and put in a shift but Leeds simply didn’t create enough openings to test Pope.
Farke substituting Dan James and Willy Gnonto on the wing for Jack Harrison and
Brenden Aaronson on the hour mark was telling, to say the least.
‘It was the second to last pass that was a little bit
missing and we need to be more mature but this will come, especially if we win
the ball high up. This will come. I have no doubt.’ Gruev stressed.
Leeds don’t face a team that finished in the top eight from
last season until November now. How they fare over these next two months will
be pivotal in terms of their survival hopes. But in the here and now, these
next two days are all that matters. Come Monday, they desperately need to
invest in some more quality up top.