Leeds United, the gift that keep on giving. This latest transfer window has to have been one of, if not the most bonkers in the club’s history. We have gone from looking to be ‘aggressive’ to losing last season’s failures on loan deals, shortly followed by refusals to play. The whole episode that has unfolded is nothing short of a manager’s worst nightmare. You are aiming to rebuild a playing side, both in terms of players and also style, yet as each week passes you don’t know who is going to be available. Throughout all of this, a certain somebody has carried themself with superb professionalism, honesty and a real desire to succeed for the Leeds United fanbase, Daniel Farke.
When Farke arrived in the summer, the day before pre season, people were happy to have finally appointed a manager with a very good Championship resume. I don’t think many supporters will have realised at the time just how important and likeable Farke actually is. His straight to the point interviews alongside his honesty have really got the Leeds United fans onside and back pulling in the same direction. The waffle of Jesse Marsch and arrogance of Sam Allardyce are a thing of the past. It’s time for a breath of fresh air, some calm and a sense of belief, all of which Farke has brought. Now the board must back him up.
Today’s press conference had a slightly different feel, it was more positive. Yes, Farke has remained positive throughout the storm of the window but today he once again reiterated that he believes we will have a competitive side come September. I know people will then chunter at missing out on opportunities to collect points in August but a slow start in the Championship doesn’t necessarily spell disaster. A sense of control has returned to Leeds United given that Tyler Adam’s and Luis Sinesterra’s loan clauses have now expired. They also hold all of the cards in regards to wantaway Willy Gnonto. This is now an opportunity for the 49ers to show that they mean business and save a little face, although the mess they have taken on is much down to Victor Orta, where he did something very similar at his previous club Middlesbrough.
We have all seen what can happen at Leeds United when a manager is well supported from the terraces and once the juggernaut sets off it is very difficult to stop. You can see certain similarities with Farke and Marcelo Bielsa. They both just want to coach and get the best out of their current crop of players, leaving the financial aspects to the businessmen upstairs. This attitude has to be commended and puts Leeds United in a very good place in terms of on the field. I think before long we will see a side playing with much more fluidity and quality, especially when the incomings arrive and the notion of, ‘I can see Farke walking’ holds no real substance. He has always reiterated that he knew the situation upon his arrival and he knows how big the Leeds United job actually is. An air of belief and good arrogance are required in abundance at Leeds in order to succeed and Farke certainly has this.
You have to be born into the Leeds United madness, but without it what would we do? One thing is for certain, it is never boring.
