Alan Pardew worried about Farke at Leeds v Wilder’s Sheffield United – ‘Oof’
Alan Pardew has raised new concerns over Leeds United beating Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United to the Championship title this season.
Leeds’ ambition of winning promotion back to the Premier League was dealt a heavy blow on Sunday 9 March as a single Colby Bishop goal saw Portsmouth claim an unexpected win against the league leaders.
The defeat, and the Blades’ 1-0 win over Preston North End this weekend, saw Wilder’s team move level on points at the top of the Championship table, with Burnley also now within two points.
Daniel Farke will be keen to avoid a similar situation to last season when Leicester City and Ipswich Town booted the Whites into the dreaded play-offs, but those fears could be about to become reality.
Leeds have lost for the first time in 18 matches, and with the Championship title race heating up, Pardew is worried that Farke’s side could succumb to the Blades this term due to the German’s tendencies.
Alan Pardew backs Sheffield United over Leeds United for Championship title
Speaking via live talkSPORT [10 March, 8:07pm], Pardew said: “There are a couple of things that worry me a bit about Leeds. The stats don’t sound too bad.
“Their goal difference is +49, 76 points from 36 games, they’ve won 22 and only Sheffield United have won more with 24. But the difference with Sheffield United is the way Chris Wilder sets them up, there is less risk of them slipping up.
“They get it out, get it forward, get it quickly, get it wide and put balls in the box, so their percentage to win games is higher. If Leeds get a little bit nervous, and the crowd get nervous, and the manager takes a few flair players off… Oof.”
| Championship standings | Points | Goal difference |
| 1. Leeds | 76 | +49 |
| 2. Sheffield United | 76 | +24 |
| 3. Burnley | 74 | +39 |
Daniel Farke cannot afford to miss out on promotion again
Football Insider verdict
Leeds’ defeat to Southampton in the Championship play-off final last term had a massive effect on the squad, with Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray all finding new homes.
Farke could also be risking his job at Leeds if he fails to secure promotion at the second time of asking, even despite his experience with Norwich City in this exact position.
While Joel Piroe, Dan James, Manor Solomon and Brenden Aaronson have all continued to hit the back of the net, many fans feel Leeds missed out on signing Cameron Archer in the winter transfer window.
Missing out on promotion could mean losing the likes of Wilfried Gnonto, Ao Tanaka and Pascal Struijk, all of whom are being linked with big-money moves away from Elland Road.
Having spent 18 years outside of the Premier League before, this could be their best chance to get back into the top tier of English football before clubs begin to raid the Whites.