Leeds United’s strong start to the Premier League season has turned heads and earned praise from former footballers and pundits across the national media.
The Whites have nine points from their first five Premier League games and sit fifth in the standings. They are one of the few teams who are unbeaten in the English top flight at the moment.
Leeds’ start to the campaign has caught many off guard, and while no one predicted relegation, pundits have been taken aback by the quality of their displays.
Daniel Farke’s team have been earning plaudits from the national media, and the key is to sustain this form after the international break.
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What pundits have been saying about Leeds United
Former Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher was blown away by what he saw from Leeds in their 4-1 win over Newcastle at Elland Road earlier this month.
Carragher said after the win over Newcastle: “Leeds are fifth in the Premier League now since last December; they are a really good Premier League team.
“Newcastle should feel a bit better about that, but they will feel like they have just been beaten up with the whole world watching on Monday Night Football.
“Leeds are on a completely different level to Newcastle physically, and for the young player they have brought in, it was a lesson for them and their new manager.
“I think now the new Newcastle coaching staff will realise this season is not going to be easy. That was back to reality for them tonight; they were just beaten up.”
Former Rangers striker Ally McCoist has also stressed that Leeds have something different about them after that brilliant Newcastle win at home.
McCoist added: “Yes, they do, because I think they have got something.
“You look at that performance against Newcastle, the momentum, the way they played that game, on the front foot, aggressive.”
Jason Cundy took on a Leed fan who suggested that Farke should still be sacked and insisted that a section of the fans are still crazy if they want the manager to leave after what he has achieved at Elland Road.
Cundy said: “These football fans are nuts. What are you on about?
“Leeds were excellent in the first half, but they couldn’t score the next goal and couldn’t take the game away from Brighton.
“Brighton are the home team, and they are a damn good side; they weren’t going to play the same way in the second half.
“What you have got to accept is that Brighton were going to be better in the second half, and you had a really good first half but didn’t really score that second goal.
“Now you want him sacked?
“It wasn’t a capitulation [against Brighton].
“What are you on, mate? Where is the balance of this conversation?
“You are nuts; you are crazy.
“You want Daniel Farke sacked; you have not lost a Premier League game this season; you are sitting eighth.”
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Leeds have bigger challenges ahead
Leeds have every reason to be pleased about their start to the season, but the challenge now is to carry this momentum after the break, as they will need it.
The Whites have a few huge games after the break that could decide whether the team are actually ready to take the next step up in the Premier League.
Leeds have a trip to champions Arsenal immediately after the break, and the Gunners will look to dispel any doubts about their team after a bruising 3-0 defeat at Brighton.
Then they will host Manchester United at Elland Road before huge trips to Sunderland and Bournemouth.
