Daniel Farke analysis shows Leeds United still have final Premier League survival step to take

Leeds United are within touching distance of safety – but are not quite there yet given a rare run-in feature

Leeds United have taken another big leap towards safety with yesterday’s 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. It’s very close – but it’s not quite job done just yet.

A total of 40 points – one more than Leeds currently have – would have been more than enough to secure Premier League safety in 90% of previous seasons. But in the words of Daniel Farke this is a ‘special season’ given the number of teams fighting against the drop zone.

Farke explained: “We have a special season where teams like Tottenham, which is normally ridiculous, are trying to chase us, and Nottingham Forest, who who playing in Europe and invested about £50million in the summer, are trying to chase us.

“And we have also bit the special situation that we play two of these teams, Tottenham and West Ham, that if you lose such a game, it means automatically they would win three points.

“So this makes the situation a bit special. So my attitude is that a lot is achieved, of course, but nothing is done yet.”

So to face two of the four teams fighting to avoid 18th is both a blessing and a curse, as is the nature of a six-pointer. But Leeds will feel confident of being able to do the job after the results of recent weeks.

Tottenham Hotspur’s draw with Brighton & Hove Albion – which signalled Wolves’ relegation is delayed for now – means Leeds sit eight points clear with five games to go. The hope is that by the time Leeds travel to Spurs and West Ham they are out of sight and these are not ‘six-pointers’

But as it stands, that is not the case just yet and it so it remains the case that Leeds still have a job to do, with Bournemouth away next up on Wednesday.

Showing maturity

Leeds’ growth in keeping a lead can be seen in the last three games. After almost capitulating against West Ham United in the FA Cup yet still coming through on penalties, Leeds held on for that historic Monday win at Old Trafford having had their two-goal lead cut with 21 minutes to play.

Wolves did make Leeds sweat a few times and Dominic Calvert-Lewin had to clear one off the line at one stage, as was the case on Monday. But Leeds kept a third clean sheet in four league games and their first in three games overall.

United still remain the Premier League team to have conceded the most number of goals after 90 minutes across all competitions – 11. But it seems they have learned their lesson at just the right time. This was a mature, if not perfect, performance. And a Premier League standard one.

James Justin

What a bargain James Justin has been. An initial £8million from Leicester City, the defender has not only been versatile but clinical. That is now three goals for the summer recruit.

He does his job going the other way too, his commitment epitomised when he denied Adam Armstrong a one-on-one chance by producing a diving header away at a height that could have easily ended with a boot to the face.

He was not perfect but like many of these Leeds players, they do not let setbacks get to them and they recover quickly. After losing the ball in one passage of play, Justin ran back into position and helped Leeds clear the ball.

Maybe it is too late for an England shout, but he should at least be on the radar of Thomas Tuchel for consideration. You need utility players at tournaments and Justin provides just that.

Joe Rodon boost

Having Joe Rodon back on the bench is a big boost given the week coming up. He was initially scheduled to be out until May with his ankle injury but made the bench yesterday.

Given there is a long trip to Bournemouth on Wednesday and then, of course, the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea the following Sunday, his return back is very timely – not only for himself but also his fellow defenders, who have put in some hard miles since the international break.

The likes of Jaka Bijol but particularly Pascal Struijk have notably stepped up in recent weeks and took the mantle when the ever-communicative Rodon was out. But having the Welsh warrior back is undoubtedly a fillip. Farke will be hoping the same can soon be said of Daniel James and Anton Stach.