Sam Allardyce's return to premier league coaching could not be more difficult given that he takes over a Leeds team that is in turmoil.
The 68-year-old hasn't had a job since failing to save West Brom from relegation in 2021, but Leeds has turned to his past record of success in saving Crystal Palace, Blackburn, and Sunderland from the drop.
Currently, only goal differential keeps Leeds above 18th-place Nottingham Forest, making them just about secure.
Before challenging games against Newcastle, West Ham, and Tottenham to end the season, Allardyce must first face the title-chasing Manchester City.
What Allardyce needs to do to help Leeds remain in the Premier League for a fourth straight season is examined by Mail Sport.
FIX THE LAPS
This season, Leeds have allowed 67 goals, which is more than any other team in the top tier.
They lost five of their seven games while giving up 23 goals in April, shattering the unfavorable record for the most goals given up in a month in Premier League history.
Allardyce had a history of strengthening the defenses of teams battling in the lower half of the table prior to his tenure at West Brom.
Although his first two games are against a high-scoring Manchester City and Newcastl, he must tighten up Leeds' defense.
After those contests, they have games against Spurs at home and at West Ham, so Allardyce will have done a fantastic job if he can keep them in the top division and patch up their defensive issues.
OPENING GAMES
This season, his new team has lost a staggering 20 points from winning positions.
Leeds is one spot above Leicester City in the table, and only they have fallen further.
If the west Yorkshire team had kept onto their one-goal lead the previous week, before Jamie Vardy netted an equalizer in the 80th minute to force a 1-1 draw, they would have moved ahead of the Foxes and two points clear of the relegation zone.
They have four games remaining to play this season, and if they want to stay in the Premier League, they cannot afford any more lapses from winning situations.
Only Nottingham Forest has taken fewer points away from home this season than Leeds, who have just two more away games left to play against Manchester City and West Ham.
GET WILFRED GNONTO ON THE PITCH Wilfried Gnonto's absence from the starting XI under Javi Gracia was one of the biggest surprises of the Spaniard's reign. Allardyce questioned the winger's lack of playing time on a podcast last week. Since making his debut in October, no Leeds player has given up more assists than the 19-year-old (four).
BAMFORD MUST BE FIRED
Although Patrick Bamford scored in Leeds' 4-1 loss to Bournemouth on Sunday, the striker's season hasn't been particularly impressive.
In 25 Premier League games, he has scored just four times, which is significantly less than the 17 goals he scored in the top level in 2020–21.
Bamford hasn't performed to his previous standards because he missed most of last season due to hamstring and foot injuries.
Bamford is expected to play a significant role for the Whites in the remaining games of the season, according to Allardyce.
Bamford will have a far greater chance of scoring the points they need to stay alive if the new Leeds manager can bring out the best in him.
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