West Ham United v Leeds United: Whites keen to take chance to keep moving forward

Leeds United have spent the week preparing for what for months looked like being a decisive game in the Premier League relegation battle, but when it kicks off at 4pm can only decide the ominous-looking fate of West Ham United.

Meanwhile, the talks Farke set out his terms for in the training ground's media room a week earlier have started, apparently in a convivial and harmonious spirit.

Within a couple of hours of Dominic Calvert-Lewin's opportunistic winner against Brighton and Hove Albion, workmen moved in on the Main Stand as Elland Road’s transformation moves up a gear.

The proof will be in the pudding, but it seems Farke's demands that the Whites board match his ambitions have not upset the applecart, just made it clear what direction it needs to be pushed in.

Building from a position of strength is important in football, and Leeds got it wrong six years ago when workmen sat idle and tweaks to the squad were timid.

Whether it is 47, 48 or the 50 points Leeds and Tottenham Hotspur hope Farke's squad finish the weekend on, the Whites have reached a position of strength by the standards of a newly-promoted side.

"It's important to plan for the mid- and perhaps a bit the long-term," reflected Farke on Friday.

"I would always say four years, perhaps three, perhaps five as a good period to speak about and this is what we're doing right now.

"More or less from the first day I signed we've spoken very openly, very honestly in a very trustful atmosphere where we had belief in each other. This is exactly what we're doing right now.

"Once we have agreed what is important for the future we'll come out to speak about it but right now it's important that we have the right plan in place and to back our theoretical goals up with some actions. This is what we're trying to figure out at the moment."

The squad does not need bulldozers sending in, but does require work in places. Good as free transfers Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha have been, a more reliable goalscorer leading the line is important. Upgrading Lucas Perri in goal is important, with the safety net of a new contract for the reliable Karl Darlow. Cover at wing-back and another left centre-back – preferably left-footers – looks important.

There can always be improvements elsewhere too, so long as Leeds stay within financial fair play and the chemistry vital in 2025-26.

But it is also crucial when supporters sing "United are back", everyone believes them.

"Ambition means for me to always develop as a club and to set always yourself goals and new goals once you have achieved the goals you wanted to achieve," explains Farke.

"How can we not just maintain the status, how can we develop and evolve further as a club? We have achieved more or less the same we have done a few years ago with promotion under Marcello (Bielsa) to the Premier League (in 2019-20) and one good season but we missed (the opportunity) to develop further.

"Our key people in the club are ambitious as well right now.

"It is crucial not just to speak about things but to back it up with actions. This is what we're trying to figure out and hopefully we can make sure this club heads further on into a good direction."

Rather than being destabilised by Farke speaking so openly about his ambitions, Leeds comes across as a very happy camp. But if Spurs lose at home to Everton on Sunday and find themselves needing an away win at West Ham to stay in the Premier League, they will be rightly angry if Leeds cross the line into carefree.

"We work with a smile on our face, that's for sure," says Farke.

"When safety was confirmed there was a big relief and a big joy and we had also a bit more time between the games to celebrate a bit, I think this is quite important.

"Whatever happens in the upcoming days no one can take away that this was a fantastic season for everyone connected with Leeds United.

"But as a professional footballer, manager or coaching staff member you're also drilled to be competitive and this is what I feel this week.

"Everyone wanted to win the training game, everyone wanted to be good in the exercises and the closer we edge to Sunday, the more concentrated this group is.

"No one is looking forward to being on the beach in a few days or thinks about the World Cup."

Sean Longstaff had hernia surgery this week, whilst Anton Stach needed stitches in a leg wound that was nasty, but not why he was left out of Germany's World Cup squad. There are hopes Pascal Struijk and Jayden Bogle might be fit to return.

With Fulham hosting Newcastle, victory shifts Leeds up the table. It might not mean much, but this is a club that wants to keep moving.