Daniel Farke says Leeds United should be 'talk of the country' – but he does not mind that they are not
In one sense, Daniel Farke says it is probably no bad thing Leeds United do not have all the points their early-season performances deserve as they prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur without three key players.
The quality of their performances have not always been reflected in the scoreline – most notably at Fulham and last week at home to Bournemouth, where stoppage-time goals cost the Whites three points they merited.
Although he would unquestionably have liked the extra points on top of eight won in the opening six games back in the Premier League, manager Farke was able to see a positive in not getting them.
"What I like about our start so far in terms of performances, we have not had one lucky point but we have also, I would say, lost three (when we were) very unlucky," he argued.
"We could easily be even on 10 or 11 points, if I'm honest, and then we would not just be talk of the town, but also talk of the country.
"Sometimes it's also a bit healthy for this emotional club that we are not right now sitting in a position where, for example, Tottenham is with 11 points – to fly a bit under the radar – because I know everyone who is connected with Leeds United can be over the moon pretty quickly.
"It's good that we had such a positive start performance-wise, also result-wise, but it's a long road and we have to make sure that we deliver with consistency further on.
"We need to win many more points to achieve our target, because with just eight points we won't be allowed to stay in this league."
That James would miss out with an ankle injury was revealed by his Wales manager, Craig Bellamy, but forward Gnonto and goalkeeper Perri have not recovered from the problems which have kept both out recently either.
"I have to confirm that Daniel James will be out for a few weeks," said Farke.
"He sadly has rolled his ankle in training, so the doctors say he's likely out for four to six weeks. That means realistically we would just expect him back after more or less the November international break.
"If he was perhaps available even one or two games before, it would be a nice little bonus and a surprise.
"But he's definitely out for a few weeks. That's of course not great news."
Italy forward Gnonto has not shaken off the calf problem which has kept him out for the last two games, but will not need surgery to fix it.
"His calf problems are not sorted," revealed Farke. "He's not back in team training so there's no chance to involve him. He will sadly just be back after this upcoming international break.
"It's just a calf strain, so no surgery (is needed). We were hoping to have him fit for this game but he's still feeling it a little bit.
"I'm pretty sure he will be back in team training, definitely in the next week. It shouldn't be too much of a problem."
Brazil goalkeeper Perri is on the mend after a quad problem, but not quickly enough to feature against Spurs.
"Lucas Perri was back in team training on Wednesday,” confirmed Farke. “That's definitely good news.
"I think the international break will be beneficial. We have two more weeks of training and I expect him to be available on the other side of the international break."
Harry Gray, who is yet to make his senior debut, but has been an unused substitute in recent matches, is also a doubt to face his brother Archie's side with a hip flexor problem picked up playing for Leeds Under-21s on Monday.
Spurs go into the Saturday lunchtime kick-off having played Champions League football at Bodo/Glimt – around 75 miles inside the Arctic Circle – on Tuesday. Had it been Wednesday, Farke thinks it might have been more significant.
"Nowadays you don't travel by a bicycle or ship or coach, they have their private jets, so it shouldn't be too uncomfortable," argued Farke.
"Sometimes someone will bring in a nice orange juice and a coffee, it's not too bad, believe me. It's not like in my generation, where the travel was horrendous, they couldn't even sleep, they have their chefs around, so the travel is not to be blamed.
"It could be tricky sometimes when you just have from Wednesday night till Saturday, early kick-off, that's tricky.
"But from Tuesday, I wouldn't expect anything else. I also expect that he will also bring some fresh legs on the pitch.
"They didn't have too many training sessions to prepare for us, but I'm also sure for a a team who is playing on Champions League level a newly-promoted side wouldn't take too much attention anyway. They are more concentrated on what they do on the pitch.
"I don't expect us to have an advantage."