Stoke City v Leeds United: Daniel Farke says Whites need greater efficiency for 'toughest Championship in two decades'

The Whites emerged from the weekend third in the Championship but their manager, who won the division twice with Norwich City, believes they should be in one of the two automatic promotion places.

Ahead of Wednesday's game at Stoke City he was asked to reflect on the state of play in the division.

"I think the quality this season is on a really good level,” he said. “There are many teams capable of fighting for promotion, some smaller clubs and some bigger clubs.

"I got the feeling in recent years this league was quite often decided relatively soon. I don't expect that this season. The standard and the numbers of competitors for the top positions are very high.

"It's definitely the strongest and most difficult season of the last two decades but if we keep going like we have in recent years, I'm quite sure we'll have the chance to finish in a really good position."

He believes his team will have to sharpen up in front of goal to achieve their potential.

According to WhoScored.com, Leeds began the week third in the Championship for shots at goal this season, but only sixth for hitting the target and fifth for goals scored.

"There's one topic we want to improve and this is the efficiency in using our chances because we create so many big chances," argued Farke.

"In a fair and normal table based on performances and expected goals we would be even better.

"You can't always turn a game like we did at Norwich (on Saturday).

"Normally the first half and the chances we created should be enough to score one, two, perhaps even three goals (they trailed 2-0).

"We are concentrated on what we can influence and what we have to improve. We need to be a bit better."

He thinks his side is being handed what is stereotypically regarded as one of English football's biggest tests – a cold, wet night at Stoke – at a bad time. The Potters had five players back from injury on Saturday, when they beat Sunderland 2-1.

"You could see not just from the result but also performance-wise it was crucial for them," he said. "I expect them to finish in a much better position than they are at the moment, I think it was just the start at the weekend.

"We want to make sure they have to wait for back-to-back wins and for a little run but I'm quite sure under Alex (Neil)'s leadership they will finish in a much better position.

"His teams always play with intensity, aggression and bravery – they go for it with many crosses. You have to defend the second balls really well, they play with fighting spirit and quite often with a knife between the teeth. This is what you expect when you play his sides.

"We don't travel in fear because we know we are in good shape and want to win the points but we have to be at our best to give ourselves a chance."

Defender Leo Fuhr Hjelde is available after missing Saturday's 3-2 win with injury, and the squad has no further issues from Carrow Road, although Farke will be conscious of the turnaround to Saturday's early kick-off at home to Huddersfield Town when he picks Wednesday's team.