The new Championship season is just four days away as Leeds United prepare to face Portsmouth at Elland Road on Saturday, and Ian Holloway has revealed whether he believes Leeds will be promoted.
Last season, the Whites came close to Premier League promotion and an immediate return to the top flight when they reached the play-off final at Wembley Stadium, only to lose 1-0 to Southampton in the capital.
Last season’s Championship campaign was unlike any other, as the top four teams formed their own mini-league above the rest of the division. Leeds, Leicester and Ipswich all finished on 90 or move points.
But Leeds have been forced to do it all again, and they will have to do so without Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and Glen Kamara with the trio being sold for more than £70m this summer by The 49ers.
Ian Holloway shares if he thinks Leeds will be promoted this term
Last season, Leeds made a poor start to the campaign as off-field concerns hampered on-pitch form. Farke had to manage with half of his squad wanting to leave and even some refusing to perform in matches.
Willy Gnonto is now a key player. Brenden Aaronson and Max Wober jumped ship, but they’re back at Elland Road. It is a new-look squad despite the Whites only making four signings.
Holloway told TalkSPORT (06/08, 7.56AM): “I feel for them. They retained as many of their best players as they could. I wouldn’t want their wage bill, to be honest, Daniel Farke is great and he could still get them up.”
Leeds still need to make three additions this summer
The return of Wober and Aaronson eases a few fears in the squad. However, there are still voids to be filled in the transfer market, the most notable of which is at full-back, where only three players fit two slots.
Sam Byram and Junior Firpo are also injury prone. So Leeds require another full-back, possibly two, to fill that position. Replacements for Kamara in midfield and Summerville on the left wing.
Plenty of work to do off the pitch as Leeds get down to business on it. Three points at home against newly-promoted Portsmouth will go a long way to convincing fans that the squad is ready to go up.
