Speaking after the defeat at Arsenal, he said: "Those promoted teams will be looking at West Ham and thinking, we can finish above them. On that showing tonight, those teams will believe that they will finish above them. The three sides that have come up are going to do much better than last season. Leeds just found out today that you don’t have the time on the ball you get in the Championship. You don’t get as much time in the Premier League. But they won’t be too worried, these games don’t define their season.”placeholder image
Speaking after the defeat at Arsenal, he said: "Those promoted teams will be looking at West Ham and thinking, we can finish above them. On that showing tonight, those teams will believe that they will finish above them. The three sides that have come up are going to do much better than last season. Leeds just found out today that you don’t have the time on the ball you get in the Championship. You don’t get as much time in the Premier League. But they won’t be too worried, these games don’t define their season.” | Getty Images

What 14 pundits and managers have said about Leeds United this season

Mark Carruthers
By Mark Carruthers

Football writer

Published 10th Oct 2025, 14:00 GMT

A number of opposition managers and TV and radio pundits have had their say on Leeds United since they returned to the Premier League.

Leeds United have experienced contrasting fortunes during their return to the Premier League as Daniel Farke’s side were left sitting four points and three places above the relegation zone ahead of the second international break of the season.

The Whites kicked off their season with a home win against Everton and they doubled their win tally with an impressive victory at struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers. Farke’s men have claimed a point from draws with Newcastle United and Bournemouth but have suffered defeats against London trio Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur.

The international break has offered an opportunity to reflect on the events of the last two months and the YEP has taken a look back at what opposition managers and pundits from the world of television and radio have said about the Whites so far this season.

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"A tight game, very difficult in some moments to break them down. We felt right away that the changes Daniel (Farke) made to be much more conservative, they had good organisation. First half, we were too slow. We didn’t take many risks in our decision. We didn’t create enough. The game was very balanced. I think second half, we were much better. much more dynamic. Fatigue in these moments for both teams can make it more open."

7. Marco Silva (after Fulham's last-gasp win against Leeds)

"A tight game, very difficult in some moments to break them down. We felt right away that the changes Daniel (Farke) made to be much more conservative, they had good organisation. First half, we were too slow. We didn’t take many risks in our decision. We didn’t create enough. The game was very balanced. I think second half, we were much better. much more dynamic. Fatigue in these moments for both teams can make it more open." | Getty Images

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Speaking to TeamTalk, he said: “I guess Leeds will let Patrick go for nothing – just to get him off the wage bill. Is he going to play this season? Probably not is the answer. Leeds will be thinking ‘if he sits on his contract and stays then we’re paying him anyhow, but if we can find a taker for him then he’s off the wage bill’. For the sake of his career, he needs to play because Leeds have shown their intentions this season by signing two new strikers and with Daniel Farke having come out and said Bamford is not in his plans.”

8. Danny Mills (on Patrick Bamford's Leeds United exit)

Speaking to TeamTalk, he said: “I guess Leeds will let Patrick go for nothing – just to get him off the wage bill. Is he going to play this season? Probably not is the answer. Leeds will be thinking ‘if he sits on his contract and stays then we’re paying him anyhow, but if we can find a taker for him then he’s off the wage bill’. For the sake of his career, he needs to play because Leeds have shown their intentions this season by signing two new strikers and with Daniel Farke having come out and said Bamford is not in his plans.” | George Wood/Getty Images

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Writing in his SportKeeda column, he said: “I have been impressed with Leeds. Like Sunderland, Leeds should look to make their home ground a fortress. Elland Road can be an intimidating place to go to when things are going right for Leeds. But I have a feeling they will struggle on the road. We saw that at the Emirates, where Leeds looked alright for the first 20-odd minutes. As soon as they conceded the opening goal, they started to crumble."

9. Paul Merson (speaking ahead of Fulham 0-1 Leeds United)

Writing in his SportKeeda column, he said: “I have been impressed with Leeds. Like Sunderland, Leeds should look to make their home ground a fortress. Elland Road can be an intimidating place to go to when things are going right for Leeds. But I have a feeling they will struggle on the road. We saw that at the Emirates, where Leeds looked alright for the first 20-odd minutes. As soon as they conceded the opening goal, they started to crumble." | Manchester United via Getty Imag

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Speaking on Match of the Day after Fulham 1-0 Leeds United, he said: “There is big pressure on Dominic Calvert-Lewin to deliver, to stay fit and stay on the pitch - but also, they have to supply him. I think he had maybe one chance today and maybe he should have done better. They’ve all got to chip in and they’ve all got to create more. They were unlucky with that today but they were still only getting a point and they didn’t look like getting three because they are not creating enough chances.”

10. Ashley Williams (on Dominic Calvert-Lewin)

Speaking on Match of the Day after Fulham 1-0 Leeds United, he said: “There is big pressure on Dominic Calvert-Lewin to deliver, to stay fit and stay on the pitch - but also, they have to supply him. I think he had maybe one chance today and maybe he should have done better. They’ve all got to chip in and they’ve all got to create more. They were unlucky with that today but they were still only getting a point and they didn’t look like getting three because they are not creating enough chances.” Photo: Clive Rose

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Speaking on talkSPORT after the win at Molineux, the former Spurs man said: “Leeds fully deserved the win, and they are a way better side (than 12th place). Daniel Farke has started the season well. There were question marks over him, and he was definitely one of the favourites to get sacked early doors. You’re not going to sack him, you’re not going to sack him. There was this whole hoo-hah in the off-season, about Daniel Farke getting sacked, and they made the decision not to. They’re not going to sack him four games in.”

11. Jamie O'Hara on the win at Wolves and Daniel Farke

Speaking on talkSPORT after the win at Molineux, the former Spurs man said: “Leeds fully deserved the win, and they are a way better side (than 12th place). Daniel Farke has started the season well. There were question marks over him, and he was definitely one of the favourites to get sacked early doors. You’re not going to sack him, you’re not going to sack him. There was this whole hoo-hah in the off-season, about Daniel Farke getting sacked, and they made the decision not to. They’re not going to sack him four games in.” | talkSPORT

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The former Whites managerial target said: “You can see it's (Leeds) a team that has soul, it has been difficult for us. At the end we had to risk, we put all the offensive players we had on the bench. We were not arriving clearly. The game for me has been very, very physical. We struggled in the first aerial duels, when they were playing direct with Calvert-Lewin. They have a first physical midfield, they're good at winning second balls and it was becoming quite physical. Normally we're good and the more open the better but Leeds have been very good at duels, fighting for the ball. You can see it's a team that has soul, it has been difficult for us."

12. Andoni Iraola on Leeds after Bournemouth's 2-2 draw at Elland Road.

The former Whites managerial target said: “You can see it's (Leeds) a team that has soul, it has been difficult for us. At the end we had to risk, we put all the offensive players we had on the bench. We were not arriving clearly. The game for me has been very, very physical. We struggled in the first aerial duels, when they were playing direct with Calvert-Lewin. They have a first physical midfield, they're good at winning second balls and it was becoming quite physical. Normally we're good and the more open the better but Leeds have been very good at duels, fighting for the ball. You can see it's a team that has soul, it has been difficult for us." | Getty Images

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