Leeds United are unbeaten in the league after three league games and have already accrued five points ahead of facing Newcastle United on Monday night.
The Whites have made a solid start to the Premier League campaign and have looked every bit the tough, resilient side they have been since the second half of last season.
Leeds defied expectations last season when they survived in their first year back in the Premier League with games to spare and showed why they belonged at this level.
Survival remains the number one priority for Leeds this year as well, but there is a feeling that they are going to steer clear of the relegation dogfight towards the end of the campaign.
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BBC journalist drops his relegation prediction for Leeds
With Leeds preparing to welcome Newcastle on Monday night, BBC Leeds reporter Adam Pope has offered his thoughts on what the Whites can realistically expect from their season.
Pope believes there is plenty of reason for optimism, particularly because of the defensive foundation Leeds have built.
Aside from the collapse against Chelsea, he feels their defensive performances have been encouraging enough to suggest the Whites should not find themselves dragged into serious trouble during the campaign.
Pope stressed that the Leeds defensive unit has looked impenetrable at times and he believes that will ensure Leeds do not get involved in the relegation dogfight this season.
Pope said on Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet: “It is early and all that, but they just don’t look like a side that’s going to be struggling.
“I think defensively they look really good.
“Overall, they just look so impenetrable, largely, don’t they?
“So then, that’s why the defence will make sure that they’re not in bother this year.”
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Leeds United’s defence is their hallmark
The Whites have conceded just two goals from their opening three Premier League games, and one of them was from a corner.
Leeds have looked almost impenetrable from open play, and when the defence has been breached, James Trafford has come to the rescue between the sticks.
Their record signing has looked every bit the goalkeeper Leeds hoped for when they forked out more than £40m to sign him from Manchester City in the summer.
Tarik Muharemovic has added a commanding presence to the team, and Nico Elvedi’s experience has come in handy in the absence of the injured Joe Rodon.
Farke will be hoping Leeds can use their defensive strength as a platform to improve in attack and become more productive in front of goal.
