NafisaLeeds United have barely had time to catch their breath after making a statement at the City Ground, but Daniel Farke’s side have already given their supporters another reason to be excited about what could lie ahead this season.
Just three days after leaving Nottingham Forest with a 1-0 victory in their opening Premier League fixture, the Whites returned to the same stadium for their Carabao Cup second-round tie.
There was always a danger that the second meeting could be completely different.
Forest had home advantage again, Oliver Glasner had already made it clear that he felt his team had been unfortunate to lose the league encounter, and there was every reason to expect the hosts to come out with a point to prove.
Instead, Leeds did something arguably even more impressive.
They controlled the game, stayed patient and eventually found the goals that Forest could not.
Dan James opened the scoring in the second half before James Justin added another to complete a comfortable 2-0 victory and send Leeds into the third round.
That meant two wins over Forest in three days.
And this time, Glasner had nowhere to hide.
Glasner delivers unexpected Leeds United admission
The Forest boss had previously argued that his side deserved more from Saturday’s Premier League meeting, insisting that Leeds had been fortunate to escape with all three points.
But after another defeat, and this time by a more convincing margin, Glasner’s assessment was completely different.
Rather than attempting to explain the result away or blame another unfortunate moment, the Forest manager delivered an unusually frank assessment of the gap between the two teams.
And it was the sort of admission that would have made Paul Merson sit up and take notice.
Glasner effectively conceded that Leeds are currently ahead of Forest.
The Austrian explained that Farke’s players appeared much more settled in their approach, understood exactly what they were supposed to do in possession and were able to punish Forest whenever the hosts made mistakes.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Glasner said:
“Losing twice in three days to Leeds, we have to accept they are better; they are further than where we are, and we could see there was much more stability in their team.
“They know what they want to do, how they want to attack, and how they want to play.”
That is a significant statement coming from the manager of a team that many expected to be competing around Leeds in the Premier League this season.
Glasner did not simply say Leeds had been better on the night.
He suggested that the Whites are further ahead in their development.
The Forest boss explains what Leeds did better
What made Glasner’s admission even more interesting was the fact that he went into detail about exactly why Leeds had managed to beat his team twice.
According to the Forest boss, Leeds were particularly dangerous whenever Forest gave the ball away during their attempts to build from the back.
That was something Farke’s side repeatedly exploited.
“I think every chance for Leeds came when we lost the ball in the build-up,” Glasner admitted.
“Their first goal, we kicked the ball and headed it straight into the feet of their attacker, then you’re vulnerable.”
Forest had opportunities of their own across the two games, but the difference was that Leeds were more clinical when those moments arrived.
Glasner acknowledged that contrast.
“We made too many easy mistakes, and when they made mistakes, we didn’t score from them.”
It was perhaps the bluntest part of his assessment.
There was no attempt to pretend that Forest had been unlucky.
There was no suggestion that the referee had cost them.
There was no claim that Leeds had simply produced another fortunate moment.
This time, Glasner accepted the reality.
“At the end of the day, they were better. Sometimes the reality hurts, and it really hurts today.”
Merson’s Leeds prediction suddenly looks interesting
Glasner’s comments will inevitably add another layer to the debate surrounding Leeds and their ambitions this season.
Paul Merson had already played down the significance of Leeds’ opening-day victory at the City Ground, arguing that Farke’s team had not produced enough football to suggest they could challenge much higher up the Premier League table.
The former Arsenal star believed Forest deserved something from that match and warned that Leeds would struggle to make significant progress if they performed like that every week.
But Leeds have now gone back to the same stadium and won again.
This time, there was no debate over who deserved to progress.
And Glasner’s admission that Leeds are further ahead and more stable than Forest could provide another talking point for those questioning whether Farke’s team deserve more credit than they have been receiving.
Of course, two victories against the same opponent do not suddenly make Leeds European contenders.
But they do demonstrate something important.
Farke’s players have shown that they can win away from home, deal with different circumstances and, crucially, find another way to win when the performance is not perfect.
Leeds still have work to do
Despite the dream start, Farke will know that two victories against Forest do not mean his squad is complete.
The transfer window remains open and Leeds are still looking to strengthen several positions before the deadline.
A back-up goalkeeper remains on the agenda, while further additions in attack and defence are also being considered.
Farke wants more depth at winger, striker and left-back, while another centre-back could also be required depending on how the final days of the window develop.
The arrival of Nico Elvedi has already strengthened the defensive options, while the early performances of James Trafford, Tarik Muharemovic and Harry Wilson have offered further encouragement.
Now the challenge is for the 49ers to use the momentum created by these two victories to finish the window strongly.
Leeds have beaten Forest twice in three days.
Glasner has now admitted that his side are behind Farke’s team.
And after Saturday’s controversial assessment from Merson, the latest verdict from the Forest boss certainly gives Leeds supporters another reason to believe their team may be capable of much more than some pundits are predicting.
Nafisa
