Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has praised the position in which Friday night opponents Leicester City find themselves following their impressive start to the Championship season, but has insisted that his side travel to the King Power Stadium full of confidence.
The Foxes have made a record-breaking start to life back in the English second-tier having won 13 of their opening 14 games in the competition. Such a blistering reintroduction to Championship football has seen Enzo Maresca’s side pick up 39 points, a total which sees them 14 points ahead of third-placed Leeds and 5 points clear of second-placed Ipswich Town – with The Tractor Boys having a game in hand.
Farke reflected on the fast start that Leicester have made in the division in his pre-match press conference today, claiming that the position in which the table-topping Foxes find themselves is well-deserved due to a combination of individual quality and an effective tactical approach within their squad.
“You have to say they deserve their point tally after 14 games and to be in this position. It’s remarkable, you can just give them credit and applause, they deserve all the praise I think it’s a fantastic side.
“There are many reasons, many top players who’ve played at Premier League level and have lots stability in the club, although there was the disappointment of relegation, you got the feeling they got to work quickly and kept the key players together and found a really good balance with lots of quality players and quality coach.”
The German was also quick to stress that his side is not underestimating the opposition and will travel with respect for their hosts, but at the same time will not allow the remarkable start that Leicester have made to the season intimidate them.
“A really well run club and this leads into the picture where they are at the moment with the best start, if not in the history of the Championship and point tally is remarkable. We’re full of respect and we will travel full of respect. We know we have to be at our best with a top class performance to earn the right to win some points.
“We won’t travel in fear. We will travel in respect but not fear. Wherever we go, we’re Leeds United and we want to win points.”
Picking up any form of result at the King Power will no doubt be the central aim for Farke and his side on Friday evening, yet there is no denying that were Leeds to hand Leicester their second defeat of the season it would be a real statement of intent that the Whites are not ready to loosen their grip on the league’s automatic promotion spots just yet.
