To The Premier League And Up – Three Reasons Why Leeds United Are Top Contenders For Promotion
It was so close last year – Leeds fans claiming they were “coming for Brighton and Newcastle” while sitting in third place and looking assured of a top six finish with only a handful of games to go before the wheels came completely off.
Could this eventually be the year where Leeds United get back to the big time? There are reasons to think that they can do it this time around and here are three of them:
Their Spine
Wolves’ and Boro’s transfers have been impressive, but we do not know yet how their new boys will perform as a team and especially at Molineux. In Leeds’ case however, their spine is easier to quantify and it looks mighty impressive.
The slightly controversial one is Germany goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald replacing Rob Green. However, he does have quality and may do the job nicely. Pontus Jansson is a beast and was already arguably the best centre-back in the division last season – a feat he could repeat, while Vurnon Anita and Ronaldo Vieira have proven their quality in the midfield.
Vieira can only get better too, which is a terrific thought, while striker Chris Wood is clearly of Premier League quality and should once again get well beyond the 15-goal mark, perhaps way over 20 in fact. So whatever happens out wide, Leeds have a brilliant spine for this level.
Strong Foundation
Finishing 7th last season, just missing out on the playoffs and even being third for a while, mean that the bulk of this Leeds United collective have come close to what is needed this term already.
They have that base in place already and simply need to add to it – something you could argue they have done over the last few weeks. If it is true that this league is a little weaker than last time in terms of the top two places then they must have a huge chance of at least a top six finish this time around.
Excellent Home Support
As long as things aren’t absolutely disastrous, Leeds can expect big crowds every week at Elland Road this season and that definitely helps their team, unlike at places like Aston Villa and Middlesbrough where it is much more fickle.
Vociferous home support is something they can rely on to eke out that extra few percent of improvement and those little differences really add up over the course of a season.