"They've only" - Ex-Sunderland and Wolves man's strong view on whether Leeds United can challenge for Europe
A former Wolves and Sunderland player’s strong view on whether Leeds United can challenge for Europe.
Former Wolves, Sunderland and West Brom man Don Goodman firmly believes Daniel Farke’s Leeds United side can challenge for a European qualification spot, highlighting several advantages supporting the team’s cause.
Farke’s side have made an excellent start to their second season back in the Premier League, Leeds sat fifth after five games played and one of only five teams still unbeaten along with Everton, Liverpool, Brentford and early leaders Manchester City.
Whites boss Farke has already declared that sealing another year of top-flight survival has to be the initial aim but EFL pundit Don Goodman sees no reason why Leeds cannot challenge to finish inside the top eight and with it bring European football back to Elland Road.
Goodman says it should be remembered that United only finished six points behind Brighton last season, the EFL pundit saluting Farke’s side for becoming one of the hardest teams to beat in the Premier League and hailing the team’s defensive record in supporting their cause.
Speaking to Betway, Goodman was asked about a possible European charge and whether he thought Leeds would have enough in the tank to mount a challenge for a top eight position.
Goodman reasoned: “When you think they finished 14th last season, it sounds average.
“It’s definitely fine for a newly promoted club, but actually when you looked at the final table, they were only six points off eighth place Brighton, who got the final European spot.
“That’s not a million miles away”
“So that’s not a million miles away. Then when you consider the really poor start that they had last season, you do think that if they can keep up this type of form so far, then they’ve got a strong chance.
“They’ve only lost five of the last 30 Premier League games, and lost one of the last 14, so they’ve become one of the hardest teams to beat in the Premier League.
“So, the answer to the question has to be why not? They’re unbeaten in the first five games and they’ve only conceded three goals, which is the joint best defensive record with Everton.
“Another factor is a lot of the rivals for the top eight will already be playing European football this year, and we’ve seen how difficult juggling the two can be sometimes.
“It can be massively tough sometimes to cope with the fixture demands, so I think you’d have to say if eighth place is going to make it, then they have a genuine chance.
“I’m cautiously optimistic for Leeds United this season.”