After their FA Cup triumph, Leeds United will return to Premier League action this weekend. The Whites have been put in a difficult situation due to their last few results.
Leeds lost their last two games to Manchester City and Sunderland. Both defeats came in similar fashion; the Whites dominated the early periods but failed to convert their chances before their opponents scored and held on for the three points. What makes it worse was that their relegation rivals have gained ground since with West Ham and Nottingham Forest picking up points.
| Position | Team | Games | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Leeds United | 29 | 31 |
| 16 | Tottenham | 29 | 29 |
| 17 | Nottingham Forest | 29 | 28 |
| 18 | West Ham | 29 | 28 |
| 19 | Burnley | 29 | 19 |
| 20 | Wolves | 30 | 16 |
The club are facing the real prospect of being relegated, after their points cushion above the relegation zone was cut in half. But the Whites can also secure another season in the top flight, which would do a lot for their future.
Former Premier League CEO makes Leeds United claim
As it stands, about six teams at the bottom are fighting for survival. Wolves and Burnley look the most likely to go, but from 15th to 18th place, everything is still up for grabs. Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Tottenham have nine games left this season to rescue their campaigns. Christian Purslow, who was former CEO of Aston Villa and served as managing director of Liverpool and Chelsea, gives his assessment of the Whites.
“I do think that the ownership group at Leeds’ approach to coming back up last season and since has been quite cautious,” Purslow said on the Football Boardroom podcast.
“They have gotten into a situation where they are running the club with a base case assumption that they might be re relegated – to give it a terrible media name as if they are a yo-yo club. They stuck largely with the Championship squad.
“They stuck with Daniel Farke, who I think most people in the game didn’t expect to last the full season. Let’s face it, this season we had had two prior years where all three teams coming up have gone back down. So any prudent manager, responsible chief exec at Leeds would say we have to allow for that possibility.
“And I think therefore the only positive is that in terms of their investment in the wage bill, their investment in the playing squad has been such that it won’t be as damaging.”
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Purslow makes a great point about the 49ers
The former Premier League CEO makes a point that the 49ers have had a cautious approach to this season, in the fact that they have contingencies if they are relegated. It would explain why the club maintained Daniel Farke when they were in the relegation zone briefly at the end of the year. Purslow’s point is also strengthened when you assess this season’s recruitment – there are players in there who will easily be with the club if they go back down to the Championship. Some fans may look at it one way, but it looks like the 49ers have assessed all scenarios and prepared for it. Either way, Leeds United look like they are in good hands for the near future.
