'I hope I am wrong' - Gordon Strachan delivers verdict on Leeds United's Premier League prospects
Gordon Strachan has delivered his verdict on Leeds United’s Premier League prospects
Leeds United legend Gordon Strachan feels European qualification will be a step too far for the Whites - but has not ruled out a top-half finish.
Daniel Farke steered Leeds to Premier League safety last season after leading them to the Championship title.
A series of eye-catching signings were made over the course of the summer, getting pulses racing and fans dreaming of a rise up the table.
Gordon Strachan’s Leeds United verdict
Strachan, who represented the Whites with dinstinction between 1989 and 1995, said: “I think it might be a step too far for Leeds.
“8th to 12th is a good target, I think that is a season or two away. I hope I am wrong. I hope I am wrong, but I think we need another couple of seasons to make sure everything is settled.
“Then the powers that be might go 'oh, right, this is a real thing, we cannot see ourselves going down now because we have got a basis like Brentford’.
“Now Brentford are spending £40m on players because they know very well they are not going to get relegated. So I think once the mindset of the Leeds people changes and they understand that, then they go ‘right, okay, that is it. Let us be more ambitious’.
“It is not that they do not have ambition, because they have ambition. It is more about taking more of a chance here and there. Again, because they are settled, they might be able to do that.”
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Leeds United’s season so far
Leeds kicked off their campaign with a win away at Nottingham Forest, a result they followed up with 1-1 draws with Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion.
They also knocked Forest out of the Carabao Cup, setting up a third-round tie with their historic rivals Chelsea.
Farke’s men will visit Stamford Bridge tomorrow (September 9) before hosting Newcastle United under the Elland Road lights on Monday (September 14).