Leeds United boss Daniel Farke makes survival admission based on transfer window ending — YEP 30/8/25
By Graham Smyth
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke made a survival admission on
the back of Saturday’s goalless draw against Newcastle United.
Daniel Farke says it will be 'difficult' for Leeds United in
the Premier League if they don't strengthen their attack before Monday night's
transfer deadline.
The Whites have four points from a more-than-tricky opening
trio of top flight games, having beaten Everton, lost at Arsenal and held
Newcastle United to a 0-0 draw.
But in each of the games it has been obvious where the need
is when it comes to further recruitment. Leeds have scored just once in the
three fixtures and that came from the penalty spot.
Against the Magpies they got into dangerous situations and
managed to create a number of chances but other than Dominic Calvert-Lewin's
late strike Nick Pope had no saves to make.
Farke reiterated after the game that he's hoping Leeds can
give themselves a chance to be competitive across the entire season by
bolstering his attacking options in the market.
"There's always hope in football and in life," he
said. "Overall we're on a really good path, we've strengthened defence,
midfield, and taken the first steps to strengthen our offence.
“Noah [Okafor] today was on the bench just for an emergency
case, missed training on Thursday.
“We made no secret in order to be ready for a long
competitive season we need quality additions up front.
“We just have to look at other teams, look at what Newcastle
have done this week, the quality on their bench. We were competitive for the
first three games but to give ourselves a chance we need to do a bit more. This
is what we're trying to do. We'll see what the outcome is."
Leeds have lost out on a number of targets this summer, most
notably Igor Paixão and Facundo Buonanotte. Deals for both players appeared to
be almost concluded before a change of plan, Paixão getting the move he wanted
to Marseille and Buonanotte securing a loan spell at Chelsea.
Farke was pressed on how he rates Leeds' chances of survival
if they fail to bring in further additions and insisted that everyone in the
club was aligned in their desire to make sure it happens.
"I like to be honest and open and not play any
games," he said.
"Like we all mentioned, we were transparent as a club,
we want to try everything to give us the best possible squad.
“Everyone wants to add some more quality players, not just
numbers, a bit of what we don't have. Quality is the best thing to give us the
best possible chance. It will be difficult [if we don't]. We have to try
everything to the last hour of the window and then we'll see what the outcome
is and go from there."
