49ers and Daniel Farke know new Leeds United importance as pressure hangs on key seven days

-Credit: (Image: Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)
-Credit: (Image: Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)


The stop start nature of the football season in the early months can be both a blessing and a curse depending on how a club finds themselves in terms of form and results. Heading into an international break on the back of a loss and a poor display can mean a two-week break feels like an eternity, whereas a good run has supporters and players alike skipping into a chance to freshen up and kick on.

While the last international break feels like it has only just ended, we stand on the cusp of yet another. For Leeds United, what happens between now and that enforced break feels very significant in shaping not just the season but the narrative around head coach Daniel Farke.

Leeds currently sit sixth in the table having lost just one game as the only side to take a point off league leaders West Bromwich Albion. Yet they sit there having not played scintillating football and with some supporters questioning Farke, his style of play and whether he is indeed the right man to take the Whites back to the Premier League.

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By the time England kick-off in their next game against Greece during that international break, that collection of doubters around the manager will have significantly grown or Leeds will be in a position of strength, looking to kick on through the remaining autumn period.

Three games inside a week await, and three good tests of Leeds' credentials. Starting at home to Coventry, the Whites then travel to Norwich City for a midweek test before a difficult trip to the north east to take on surprise early pacesetters Sunderland. The Wearsiders are the only team currently inside the top 10, but in Norwich Leeds will find a tricky test.

Beginning against a Coventry team who have slipped down the table this season and look nothing like the one which impressed last campaign, Leeds will be expected to win and win with some style at home against a side with just one victory so far this campaign. Failure to do that won't help matters, but win in impressive fashion and Farke's men will be set up for the two away trips to come.

It's easy to start picking out a number of points as the target, but it does feel like seven is needed if any doubters are to be kept in place for now, while less than if a loss to Sunderland comes about, could see Leeds heading into the international break three wins behind the automatic promotion places.

Playing well at home against Coventry is the immediate target as the Whites prepare for what feels like a very significant week.