New Elland Road pressure verdict as Daniel Farke faces Leeds United challenge

Leeds United's plans to increase the capaciy of Elland Road to 53,000 will only pile on the pressure for Daniel Farke to get the Whites back to the Premier League - but the German has been backed to rise to the challenge.

The club this week announced ambitious plans for the famous stadium, and the heat will be on to host top-flight football by the time the work is completed. Leeds narrowly missed out on promotion last season, and are the favourites to make amends this time around.

Leeds have big plans both on and off the pitch, but former United and England midfielder Carlton Palmer has backed Farke to stay calm in the face of the added pressure and continue to be a steady hand on their promotion ship.

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“Leeds United have announced plans of a 53,000 all-seater stadium on Monday, they announced the extension plans as the first steps in a new future for the old ground," Palmer told Football League World. “Apparently, they have a waiting list for season tickets of 26,000 people, so it is becoming very difficult, and they want to get ready for life in the Premier League and increasing revenue for that.

“There has been no developments made to Elland Road since the changes to the East Stand in 2011, which led to a minor reduction in capacity. This upgrade will lead to an increase in capacity, so the maximum at Elland Road is 37, 645 and with the new revamp they will go to a capacity of 53,000.

“This is fantastic news for Leeds United, but what it does is put pressure on Daniel Farke and his team to get promotion. I have said before that I am a big admirer of Daniel Farke, I think he has had a lot to do and a lot to contend with last season. Hitting 90 points and all the things he had to contend with there.

“Ninety points generally gets promotion, I think they will get 90 points again this season and they should get promoted, but he has a lot to contend with in losing crucial players in Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville, it has been tough for him.

“I still envisage Daniel Farke getting Leeds back to the promised land this season, but it does add increased pressure this season, because you get there and you get increased revenue, and it is fantastic for the football club.

“Leeds United supporters are absolutely fantastic, so even if they are still in the Championship they will still sell out 53,000, but that stadium and a club like Leeds United want to be back in the Championship. So come Christmas, the 49ers will do what they have to do so they have got to back Daniel Farke in the transfer market came January, and that will give them the final push to get up, and I believe they will do it this season.”

After slipping up against Burnley, Leeds got back to winning ways at Cardiff last weekend, and can close the gap on the early-season pacesetters with a win over Coventry City at Elland Road.