Following another international break, Leeds United will look to keep their hopes of a promotion push alive with a visit from fellow contenders, Sheffield United, this weekend.
One viewpoint of inspiration might spur the Yorkshire on this season as their former legend, Lucas Radebe offered his thoughts on Leeds’ chances of a Premier League return next year.
Leeds’ Promotion Chances
Amid a tough weekend for many second tier sides, the former centre-back, who featured 262 times for the Championship team, spoke to BBC Radio Leeds. This interview included his current verdict on Daniel Farke’s position and the Whites’ recent summer business.
“I think with boss, Mr Farke at the helm, I think we’ve got a good chance because of the players he’s brought to the club and the balance that he’s brought to the team, which is very, very crucial for the club.
“I know it’s still early on, but I think it’s important that we grab all the points before Christmas, we set ourselves up for the second half of the season in the position that will give us promotion.”
A Crucial Promotion Match-Up
Facing a very in-form Sheffield United side won’t be welcomed kindly by Leeds this Saturday. The Blades would be sitting top on 21 points if a minus two-point deduction hadn’t been handed to them at the beginning of the season. Chris Wilder’s side have kept six clean sheets in a row and will hope to continue this fortune at Elland Road.
The comments that the club received from Radebe could well be put to the test this weekend; their ability to go toe-to-toe with other promotion hopefuls will either be questioned or highlighted. These two outfits will likely be at the summit of the table come the end of the season and an early fixture between them could underline some important areas of improvement and of quality.
Writer’s View
Sheffield United certainly have the momentum heading into this fixture, however Leeds are on a decent run of form themselves. An unlucky falter in the final moments against Sunderland threw away two crucial points, but two wins against Coventry City and Cardiff City highlighted their attacking capabilities.
Radebe is correct in saying that the recruitment from Farke has been great, especially when considering the amount of sold assets that needed replacing quickly. The confirmed reintroduction of Manor Solomon and Daniel James to the squad this weekend could prove to be the necessity to combat a very strong Blades line-up.
