Leeds United go into the new campaign with aspirations about being promoted to the Premier League but it will be easier said than done since the club has been in this situation more often than not in the last five years.
The current ownership of the club has also not provided the stability that is required to put together a title challenge. This could change in the coming campaign with former Wigan manager Uwe Rosler at the helm. The German says that he is prepared for a long campaign up ahead. Even now, many are starting to doubt the longevity of Rosler given the average results in the club’s recent friendly matches.
After having played three friendly matches so far, Leeds have yet to taste a success.Rosler will come under increasing pressure ahead of the next couple of matches – against Hoffenheim and Everton. Even though these are just pre-season friendly matches designed to build the fitness of the players, it would also be helpful in getting the manager more information about the players at his disposal. However, two draws and one defeat in the three games is certainly not confidence inspiring. The team open the campaign with a home game against newly relegated Burnley.
“We’ve been working on more football-specific fitness, around roles and responsibilities for certain positions. We’ve been working on team shape and more speed-orientated exercises. Now is the time – three weeks before kick-off – where we have to go from a diesel engine to a Ferrari engine. We have to train on that, that’s what we’ve been focusing on. We’re not only preparing for the Burnley game, we’re preparing for 10 months. The Burnley game is a very important one but it’s not our last game,” said Rosler. Immediately after the Burnley game, Leeds are up against Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup.