Leeds United have reached the first international break of the season and it feels like the perfect time to reflect on a challenging couple of months

The transfer window is closed and Daniel Farke will be taking the next week or so as an opportunity to regather his breath after a frantic first few months at Leeds United. Incomings and outgoings have dominated the agenda but with his squad in place until the start of January at the very earliest, he can settle down and look to build some traction with his Whites side.

 

 

Off the pitch, this season has been challenging to say the very least, but it’s been testing on the pitch, too, with Leeds picking up one win from their opening five Championship games. To their credit, they’ve only lost one and they have been the dominant side in most games, but Farke will be keen to get his side moving in the right direction quickly to avoid more ground being lost in their hunt for promotion.

With that in mind, here’s a look at a few of the talking points to emerge from the season so far.

Farke’s right impression

It’s fair to say Farke was tested during his first couple of months in charge at Elland Road. Arriving at Thorp Arch

with pre-season just about underway, the German was thrown straight into the deep end and given just under five

weeks to work with a small group before the opening day of the season against Cardiff City.

 

 

 

To make the job harder, there was uncertainty surrounding a huge number of players within his squad and with the

49ers Enterprises takeover taking its time going through, Leeds were in a difficult position when it came to

reinforcements. He handled the situation superbly, though, speaking with clarity to the press and making progress

with those who were available to him.

 

 

Leeds saw 18 players leave the club this summer, either on loan or permanently, while nine came in and that sort of

turnover is never easy to handle. But, he’s taken it in his stride, and while the club found themselves powerless at

times due to exit clauses, Farke has remained consistent in his message that Leeds will not be made fools of.

 

 

The wantaway situation with Wilfried Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra was unfavorable, but Farke seemed to handle it

very well. Again, the German spoke honestly and at various points he appeared to lay down the law to the pair in the    five press after excluding them from first-team training.

Results might not be coming as frequently as hoped at present, but Farke has built up plenty of credit already.

 

 

Following through on ambition

For a while it seemed Paraag Marathe’s message about being ‘aggressive’ in the window might come back to bite him

as Leeds left it late to get their business done. But, they dug in deep and managed to find the depth and talent they

needed this summer to give the squad a fresh feel as the new ownership made their mark.

 

 

The takeover took a while to get over the line but shortly after receiving the keys, the 49ers set their stall out with the

£7m signing of Ethan Ampadu. That was a big deal for Leeds at the time and the Welshman’s performances have

only underlined that fact so far.

 

 

The addition of Joel Piroe was another huge show of ambition from the Americans with United going out and

securing the striker many people believe has been the best in the Championship over the last couple of seasons.

Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to keep hold of as many players as they would have hoped, but firm lessons

have been learned from the previous regime’s mistakes.

Promotion has to be the aim this season and the 49ers will feel that despite some testing moments, they have given Farke the tools.

A family dynasty

At just 17, the performances of Archie Gray in Leeds’ midfield have been quite simply remarkable this season. After

watching him in pre-season, few were doubting whether the teenager was ready to step up to the first-team fold and

Farke felt confident enough to give him the nod against Cardiff City, throwing him in for his senior debut.

 

 

Coming up against the experience of Aaron Ramsey might have been daunting for the teenager, but he took the

opportunity in his stride and more than got the better of him. Gray has been a near ever-present ever since, missing

just a few minutes of action in all competitions alongside Ampadu with his performances going from strength to

strength.

 

 

The additions of Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara give Farke the ability to manage his game time in the coming weeks

and months but Gray looks set to play a key role for the Whites as the season progresses. The Gray family dynasty at

Elland Road continues.