'Definitely' - Leeds United boss Daniel Farke delivers promotion verdict on Watford
Leeds United are back in Championship action on Tuesday night
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke believes Watford are ‘definitely’ play-off contenders this season. The Hornets head to Elland Road on Tuesday evening. They are sat in 8th place in the Championship table after the first 10 fixtures. The Hertfordshire outfit have 16 points on the board and are two outside the top six.
Leeds’ upcoming opponents were beaten 3-0 away by rivals Luton Town at Kenilworth Road last time out. They have lost their last four matches on their travels.
When asked whether he thinks Watford are contenders for the play-offs in this campaign in his pre-game press conference, Farke said: “Yes definitely, because it is also a side used to being in the Premier League. They have some very good players. It’s a pretty physical side but they also have creativity and a goal threat. They are definitely one of the main contenders for the top positions in this league.”
In terms of why Tom Cleverley’s side have struggled away from Vicarage Road this term, Farke said: “I don’t know because I think it’s the same game and the same rules, but of course you feel more comfortable at home. It’s always easier if you don’t have to travel and the second topic is always the supporters. Sometimes young players can struggle a bit when the whole stadium is against you.
“I wouldn’t say this is the case in Watford’s case because they have unbelievably experienced players. It’s more or less the sum of all these reasons but actually we try wherever we play to have the same game on the pitch. I think in Watford’s case it is a coincidence because I am sure they will win games on the road but hopefully not on Tuesday.”
Watford’s poor away form
Watford won 3-2 against Millwall on the opening day. However, they have since lost to Sheffield United, Norwich City, Preston North End and Luton away, conceding 11 goals in the process. They are a different beast on their own patch though. The Hornets have won four of their outings at home against Stoke City, Derby County, Sunderland and Middlesbrough and haven’t lost there yet.
Speaking after their weekend defeat, Cleverley demanded a reaction against Leeds: “We were well beaten. It's very, very disappointing. That has to land on my shoulders first and foremost, and it will. We didn’t commit to who we are at all. You know you have to compete here, you have to win battles. We didn’t do that well enough. But then you have to commit.
“Are we a second balls, territory football team? No, I feel like we’re a football team who likes to play through the lines and get our creative players on the ball, and get it wide and in the box, and I don’t think we were committed to that at all today.”
He added: “We showed fear on the ball and they fully committed to the way they wanted to play with territory and duels. We didn’t stand up to that challenge well enough either.”