What Daniel Farke must do to avoid the sack as Leeds United misfortune becomes clear
Daniel Farke is facing growing calls to be sacked as fears over Premier League relegation mount at Leeds United.
Leeds crashed to a 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, despite Lukas Nmecha putting them ahead early on at the City Ground.
Farke is under increasing scrutiny at Leeds, and worries over the lack of attacking reinforcements in the summer have been brutally exposed many times this season, as they sit in 16th place, just one point above the drop zone.
Home matches against Aston Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea in that period won’t ease any concerns over Leeds’ Premier League status, and current evidence suggests that their misfortunes at both ends of the pitch could spell more misery for the German manager.
Leeds are not getting any luck in both boxes
Leeds are now second favourites to be relegated after the dismal performance at the City Ground, and it seems to be a matter of time before Farke loses his job.
Conceding late goals to Fulham and Bournemouth cost them three points in total, and Farke must be hugely frustrated that his side is only one point clear of the relegation zone.
This season, teams playing against Leeds have the highest conversion rate (17.24 per cent), whilst the Peacocks themselves have the second-worst conversion rate (6.67 per cent).
In Opta’s expected table, Leeds should be sitting in 10th place, but an expected goals (xG) underperformance of 3.1 has left them in a position that they statistically shouldn’t be in.
Leeds currently possess the second-worst attack in the top flight, with their total of 10 goals only better than Wolves’ tally of seven.
It’s clear that the Peacocks must invest in January, and the signing of a winger and an out-and-out striker who can be counted on is an absolute necessity.
Leeds have failed to score in four of their six away matches this season, and it has contributed to a fairly woeful start on the road.
Away form is contributing to Daniel Farke’s downfall
Leeds’ total of four goals away from home is simply not good enough, and despite having Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff in the midfield, the lack of conversion is astounding.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin continues to disappoint up front, having now gone six games without a goal.
What’s frustrating for supporters is that Leeds have performed well at Elland Road this season, yet they haven’t been able to translate their form at home into results on the road.
Leeds have missed 17 big chances this season – an appalling amount of wasted opportunities for a newly promoted side.
Their remaining away games in 2025 include trips to Man City, Brentford and Sunderland, and all three teams have excellent home records.
Farke must play a more pragmatic style of football to frustrate their opponents, and with great speed on the counter-attack, Leeds could become a real threat away from home.
Leeds need to sharpen up their defensive issues
Whilst it’s pure misfortune that teams are coincidentally converting their chances more often against the Peacocks, it doesn’t take away from the fact that they’re conceding some avoidable goals.
Lucas Perri has a save percentage of 50, a figure which is far from good enough, and highlights the defence’s inability to close down shots.
Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson have both been exposed out wide, whilst the defending from crosses simply hasn’t been good enough.
We’ve seen fellow promoted sides, Sunderland and Burnley, put everything on the line to help their side record fantastic results, and it feels as if Leeds are yet to show that under Farke.
There are a number of issues that Farke must address, and if he doesn’t, then his days at Leeds are surely numbered.
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