Leeds United’s smart recruitment, patience and pragmatism underpin survival, but two issues linger | OneFootball

Leeds United met their remit by staying up, and for long spells looked better than 14th. Leeds Live notes they, alongside Sunderland, halted a two-year pattern of promoted clubs going straight back down.

With 11 arrivals, roughly 80% worked, 92.8% of players used were aged 23 to 29, and added height bolstered set-pieces. Gabriel Gudmundsson, Anton Stach, James Justin and Dominic Calvert-Lewin became starters.

Leeds kept faith with Farke during November’s slump after the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa. A strong second half at Manchester City and a 3-1 win over Chelsea steadied things, then 3-3 with Liverpool and 4-1 against Crystal Palace vindicated that patience.

Leeds turned to Noah Okafor when Igor Paixao chose Marseille, and Farke’s mid-season back-three switch, sliding between 3-5-2, 3-4-2-1 and a back four, helped eke out points.

Off the pitch, Elland Road’s expansion gained approval after lengthy travel-plan revisions and work has begun. Capacity is set for 53,000. Chairman Paraag Marathe says it will take another two seasons to "truly" operate as an established top-flight club.

Lucas Perri, on a four-year deal, lost the gloves to Karl Darlow in January, Darlow is out of contract this summer and a new goalkeeper could be sought, while Facundo Buonanotte’s loan misfired and he returns to Brighton.

Late concessions cost Leeds, including stoppage time in the 3-0 final-day loss at West Ham. The nadir was Newcastle away, when 3-2 up became 4-3, with more points dropped against Bournemouth, Fulham and Aston Villa.

Source: Leeds Live