AliousMartin Keown, the former Arsenal and England defender, has offered his insights on what Leeds United need to do to secure promotion from the Championship. His comments come in the wake of Leeds’ recent defeat and highlight the unique challenges the club faces in their quest to return to the Premier League.
There’s a general consensus that Leeds United, under the management of Daniel Farke, possesses a squad with the potential to achieve promotion. While last season’s team might have boasted more individual talent with players like Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville, the current squad seems to have a stronger collective identity. However, their recent loss serves as a stark reminder of the competitive nature of the Championship.
Speaking on TalkSPORT, Keown emphasized the importance of Leeds’ away form. Drawing from his own experiences with Aston Villa during a relegation season, Keown highlighted how teams can struggle at home but thrive on the road. He recalled, “We could hardly win a game at home. Villa Park, fantastic venue, everyone rocks up. It’s like a Wembley situation, everyone saves their best performance away. We were magnificent, won 13 away games.”
Keown believes Leeds must adopt a similar strategy: “That’s what Leeds have got to do, win away from home and find a way to win at home.” This approach, he suggests, could be crucial in navigating the unique pressures of being a ‘big’ club in the Championship.
The validity of Keown’s analysis seems to be reinforced by comments from Zian Flemming, Burnley’s new striker who recently made his debut against Leeds following a £7 million transfer from Millwall. Flemming’s remarks after the match underscore the perception of Elland Road as a formidable venue: “Obviously, Elland Road, Leeds, it’s one of the toughest, if not the toughest games of the season.”
Flemming’s statement aligns with Keown’s point about teams treating matches at Elland Road as if they were cup finals. This heightened motivation from visiting teams creates an additional challenge for Leeds in their home fixtures.
The implication is clear: Leeds United must develop a strategy to cope with the intense atmosphere and expectations at Elland Road, while simultaneously improving their away form. This dual approach could be key to their promotion aspirations.
Keown’s advice and Flemming’s observations highlight a broader trend in football, particularly in competitive leagues like the Championship. Teams that were recently in the Premier League or have a strong historical pedigree often find themselves targets for opposition teams looking to make a statement. This phenomenon can turn every home game into a significant challenge, as visiting teams elevate their performance levels.
For Leeds, this situation presents both a challenge and an opportunity. While they must find ways to overcome the additional pressure at home, they can also use their status to intimidate opponents in away fixtures. Developing a robust away record could provide the consistency needed for a successful promotion campaign.
Moreover, this analysis touches on the psychological aspects of football. Leeds’ players and coaching staff must adapt to being the ‘big fish’ in the Championship pond, managing expectations and maintaining focus regardless of the venue or opposition.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Farke and his team respond to these challenges. Their ability to balance home and away performances, manage the weight of expectations, and maintain consistency in a notoriously unpredictable league could well determine their fate in the promotion race.
Alious
