NafisaLeeds United’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season has given Daniel Farke plenty of reasons to be satisfied, but not every supporter appears convinced by the German’s work at Elland Road.
The Whites produced another encouraging result on Saturday, holding Brighton to a 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium after taking the lead through Jayden Bogle in the first half.
Leeds were the better side before the break and created several opportunities to extend their advantage, only to be punished after Brighton improved considerably following the interval.
Luka Vuskovic eventually headed Brighton level as the hosts piled on the pressure, leaving Leeds to settle for a point that keeps them unbeaten after three league matches.
The result leaves Farke’s side sitting eighth in the Premier League table, a respectable position at this early stage of the campaign.
However, one Leeds supporter clearly expected more.
Jason Cundy clashes with Leeds fan over Daniel Farke live on air:
The reaction came during Saturday’s edition of talkSPORT Sports Bar, where Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara were reviewing the weekend’s Premier League action while taking calls from supporters.
A Leeds fan contacted the programme to express his frustration at the draw against Brighton.
The supporter went considerably further than simply criticising the performance, however, calling for Farke to be sacked and arguing that the manager had taken the team as far as he could.
That opinion immediately caught Cundy off guard.
The former Chelsea defender could not understand why a Leeds supporter would be demanding the manager’s dismissal after three Premier League games without defeat, particularly following a positive away result against a Brighton side he considers one of the better teams in the division.
Cundy responded to the Leeds fan and said: “These football fans are nuts. What are you on about?
“Leeds were excellent in the first half, but they couldn’t score the next goal and couldn’t take the game away from Brighton.
“Brighton are the home team, and they are a damn good side; they weren’t going to play the same way in the second half.
“What you have got to accept is that Brighton were going to be better in the second half, and you had a really good first half but didn’t really score that second goal.
“Now you want him sacked?
“It wasn’t a capitulation.
“What are you on, mate? Where is the balance of this conversation?
“You are nuts; you are crazy.
“You want Daniel Farke sacked; you have not lost a Premier League game this season; you are sitting eighth.”
Cundy’s argument was essentially that Leeds’ inability to protect a one-goal advantage should not suddenly turn into a verdict on Farke’s entire reign.
The Whites had been excellent during the opening period at Brighton, but their failure to make that dominance count left the door open for Fabian Hürzeler’s side to respond after half-time.
That is something Farke and his players will undoubtedly need to improve, particularly if Leeds are to turn encouraging performances into more victories.
But the suggestion that the manager should already be dismissed represents an extreme reaction to what has otherwise been a promising beginning to the campaign.
A large majority of Leeds fans back Farke:
Farke’s position is also strengthened by the work he did last season.
The German successfully adapted his approach and helped Leeds establish themselves as a competitive Premier League side after returning to the top flight.
His ability to get the best from the squad has remained one of the biggest positives surrounding the club, particularly when compared with the resources available to some of their rivals.
Leeds have also shown resilience during the opening weeks of the new campaign.
They began with a win over Nottingham Forest before defeating the same opposition again in the Carabao Cup, and then followed that up with the draw at Brighton.
The fact they remain unbeaten after three Premier League fixtures is another reason Cundy was so surprised by the supporter’s demand for Farke to leave.
There will certainly be areas for the manager to address.
Leeds must become more ruthless when opportunities arrive, especially after creating enough chances to potentially put games beyond their opponents.
But dropping two points away to Brighton is a very different scenario from a team collapsing or repeatedly losing matches.
For now, the evidence suggests Farke has Leeds moving in the right direction.
The Premier League season is still in its infancy, and the coming weeks will provide a far better indication of whether Leeds can compete comfortably in the division.
For Cundy, though, the verdict is already clear: calling for Farke to be sacked after three unbeaten league matches, with Leeds sitting eighth, is simply far too premature.
Nafisa
