Before Leeds United’s match against Derby County at Elland Road, two managers—Paul Warne and Daniel Farke—are under pressure for quite different reasons.
Farke is aware of how crucial it is for Leeds to improve this season after missing out on an instant return to the Premier League the previous one.
Although Leeds is only three points behind Sheffield United in first place and presently sits third in the Championship, Farke’s ability to win these games has come under scrutiny following Leeds’ most recent 1-0 loss to Blackburn Rovers on the road.
After being promoted from League One earlier this year, Warne has had a strong start to the season with Derby, who now sit in 15th place.
However, following last weekend’s late loss to Sheffield Wednesday, Rams fans began to grow a bit impatient with Warne after the team had only won one of their last nine games.
Warne baffled by Farke rumours ahead of Leeds vs Derby
Although there is no immediate threat to Farke’s job, the fact that Leeds has exactly the same number of points after 18 games as they did at this time a year ago is one statistic that has frustrated him this week.
Leeds ought to have been able to improve their position in the first few months of this season, considering how tumultuous the start of the previous one was.
Leeds placed themselves in contention last season with a run of 12 wins in 13 games at the start of the new year, but it doesn’t seem conceivable they could go and achieve it again.
That said, starting with Derby this weekend, Leeds have a decent run of fixtures coming up over the festive period which should allow them to really push on.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Derby’s trip to Elland Road, Warne cannot believe some of the things he has been hearing about Farke being under pressure, claiming it is the toughest away ground in the Championship.
He said: “I can’t believe he’s under any pressure at all…& if they did get rid of him I don’t know who they’d suggest to get in who could do it any better…. I think they’re a great a team. It’s the toughest place to go in the league.”
Warne rules out Derby midfielder for Leeds trip
On top of Derby being without Ebou Adams through suspension, another of Warne’s key midfielders won’t be available at Elland Road.
Derby had been hopeful David Ozoh would return from injury for this one, but Warne has confirmed he is not quite there yet with his recovery.
He told Derbyshire Live: “No, David still isn’t in a position yet where we could risk him, so it’s just taking a little bit longer than we wished for, I think is probably the best way to put it, so David, will not be on the bus.”
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