Ian Harte issues Leeds United season prediction and Jesse Marsch assessment after mystery ends

Left back ace Harte starred for Leeds in the club's Premier League and even Champions League era at the turn of the Millennium before relegation in 2004. Eighteen years on, Harte's recently promoted former side only avoided the drop back to English football's second tier on the final day of last season but the Irishman says he has no fears that Marsch's side will become involved in another relegation scrap this term.

Marsch's team began the new season by taking seven points out of a possible nine but a horrible run of eight games without a victory and just two points out of a possible 24 followed. Leeds, though, bounced back in style with last weekend's 2-1 win at Liverpool which left Harte delighted and upbeat ahead of Saturday afternoon's clash against Bournemouth at Elland Road.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Bet365, Harte was asked whether Leeds could be involved in a relegation battle this season and declared: "No, I think the strength they're putting forward is definitely good enough. I think they added some very good players in the summertime, and they just needed a win, which they got at Liverpool.

"Hopefully they can build on that. I think the next game they have is Bournemouth at home, so if they can get a win there, I think it will start pushing them up the table. They had a great start to the season. They had a little blip, especially looking back to the Arsenal game, they probably should have got something from that game.

"But I'm delighted that they got the win (at Liverpool). Liverpool is a very difficult place to play, so to go there and do the job that they did the other day was quite remarkable. It just goes to show that all the players are fully behind the manager. I think he did well last season and this season. The start that they had - beating Chelsea at Elland Road, people are going to say 'Oh my God, Leeds are going to be right up there.' They had a bit of a blip, but I think every team goes through that. Hopefully that win against Liverpool can push them on now."

Asked why he thought United's form had dipped after their good start this term, Harte admitted that the haul of just two points out of a possible 24 was something of a mystery, but that every club experienced peaks and troughs of form.

"No idea really, but let's be honest, Man United had a bad start and look at the roll they're on at the moment," said Harte. "I think every team goes through it, and let's hope that Leeds are at the other end of it now and can build in form."