Leeds United have amassed two fewer points than at this stage last season, yet find themselves in a healthier position in the Championship table. Much can be read into that, but the fact is the race for the top two very much includes three horses. Burnley are now, once again, just two points behind table-toppers Leeds with Sheffield United level on points.
After dropping points against West Bromwich Albion, Portsmouth and now Queens Park Rangers, Daniel Farke has cut a stressless figure. His side are top of the league with an almighty goal difference and 80 points in the bank with eight games to go. This time last season, United had 82 points but found themselves second, three points behind leaders Leicester City and just one ahead of third-place Ipswich Town. Leeds went into that international break on a high after a 2-0 win over Millwall.
The mood is a touch subdued this time around, given what happened in the final eight games of last season. Out of the top four at the time of last March’s pause, Leeds were the doomed club to miss promotion. And being 2-0 down in the first half against QPR on Saturday reminded everyone that the job is far from done, and can actually be easily undone. United did well to gain a result given that first half-an-hour and Farke noted how they overcame a mental hurdle by doing so.
It’s important to note that Leeds have gained results against teams they faltered against during last season’s run-in - Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, Watford, Coventry City and QPR. There’s something in that. But at the same time, perhaps it was the pressure of promotion - rather than the opposition - that caused United to falter. That will not go away in the final stretch and the character of this United squad will very much be tested.
Farke elected against bringing in a new face over the winter transfer window. He deemed keeping the team spirit high for the run-in more important than reinforcement. Right now, with Leeds top, he can justify that call. Squad morale will be boosted by the return of Ethan Ampadu as well as Max Wober and Patrick Bamford at some stage after the international break. United also have a tastier run-in fixture list.
Leeds have no current top six side left to play while Sheffield United and Burnley are still to meet on the third-to-last matchday. Someone is losing points there either way. Plus, both clubs still have the in-form Coventry City to play. Of course, United face a number of clubs fighting relegation during their final sprint, which throws up all kinds of banana skins. It underlines that there is still some way to go yet, but United undoubtedly have the upper hand.
The other two promotion rivals would snap the hand off for United’s fixture list, squad and home form, which has seen the Whites collate 48 points out of a possible 57 - six points better than any other side. Four more home wins would take Leeds to 92 points. A few more away on the road and United might be Premier League bound. Perhaps this is why Farke seems more at ease than some supporters.
While Leeds have accumulated fewer points than last year, they have made progress up to this point - wins against last season’s bogey teams, top of the league and an incredible home record. But the season doesn’t end in March. Farke knows that and has underlined how Leeds need to keep on. Four home wins and four points from four away games might be enough - 96 points have been enough since 1992.
Farke will deny he is relaxed but he does not seem stressed either. Confident but vigilant. That’s the attitude Leeds players must also adopt for the final eight games.