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Like it or not, Daniel Farke has become a single protector, insulating the squad and board from increasing discontent among fans at the club's stadium.

Decisive Fixture List Approaching

Farke's side travels to Manchester City on the weekend with the manager acutely aware that defeat against his respected colleague Pep Guardiola will only amplify speculation that Brendan Rodgers could soon take over his role.

Although uncertain as to whether the free agent, a free agent after a dramatic divorce from the Scottish club in October, would truly desire the job, five defeats in the past six Premier League games have prompted awkward questions about Farke’s future.

Following the visit to the Etihad Stadium followed by matches against Chelsea and Anfield outfit on midweek and Saturday respectively, a pivotal week approaches for the German who, only last spring, celebrated elevation from the EFL.

Externally Calm

“It suits me that the public scrutiny is on the head and not the players,” he said on Thursday. “It's my duty to be a leader who remains composed and refrains from considering about his individual prospects. It’s about how the team can survive in the English elite for the future.

“To be frank, it's quite unpleasant at the moment; we’re getting a lot of flak. But I don’t need to hide. I was aware of how fervent this team is from the first day here. If you can’t handle the pressure avoid becoming boss of Leeds United. I never expected this campaign to be an easy ride.”

Mistakes and Misplaced Criticism

No coach is perfect and, during the team's decline to the relegation zone, the German has definitely made mistakes. However, the disaffected supporter who sought to challenge him in the coaching zone during Sunday’s unsuccessful result by their opponents was possibly blaming the wrong man.

If a last-ditch intervention from security personnel prevented what could have been an serious altercation, the wider chants of “You don’t know what you’re doing” directed towards the coach could, instead, have also been directed at the chairman, the managing director, Adam Underwood and Alex Davies.

Investment and Missed Opportunities

Ultimately, although around £100m was spent on ten signings in the off-season, Farke’s persistent close-season warnings about the need to add more “goal threat” went overlooked. In contrast, a short distance away, a newly promoted Sunderland squad was strengthened by a highly astute massive investment that has left Régis Le Bris well positioned to demonstrate his coaching ability.

Would the situation vary for Farke had promising players not chosen Sunderland rather than Elland Road, or if the Yorkshire club’s owner, the San Francisco-based 49er Enterprises, had been better placed to adhere to the top-flight regulations? The horizon would surely improved had Dominic Calvert-Lewin not failed to deliver so conspicuously. Given the lackluster showings to date, Farke's side might have been better sticking with Patrick Bamford.

Setbacks and Determination

On a positive note, equipped with two far-from-shabby engine room operators in £17m Anton Stach and the former Newcastle man last off-season but, worryingly, the two will be absent at the away fixture. One midfielder is following head injury guidelines, while a leg issue will exclude the other player for around six weeks. Not that, the man in charge is considering giving up.

“Metrics prove we’re in the top two with Manchester City in terms of athletic performance and conditioning this campaign,” he stated. “I observe how together the players are. What’s missing is the clinical edge in both boxes. It's crucial to refine minor points.

“But we knew such a scenario was possible. Securing survival would be a significant achievement. Recently each ascending club went quickly demoted but I’m confident we can achieve in our aim”. The target is the survival benchmark and, with a total of eleven from a dozen fixtures of the campaign so far, Leeds have not, in fairness, deviated greatly off course.

Essential Changes

• Preventing any more setbacks will surely require Farke rediscovering his attackers' scoring form and repairing the often exposed left side of the defence.
• Additionally possibly substituting the frequently flawed Lucas Perri with the experienced goalie in the nets and, arguably, finding an better option to the often blamed the attacking midfielder on the right side of his forward line.
• His tireless running and assiduous tracking back helps fortify their in defense but, in attack, he has disappointed.

Managing Hostility

However, the coach is pleased by the supporter criticism to the 25-year-old. “Is it really how we should treat a fellow person in our world?” he says. “It makes us feel superior if we can vent our displeasure on someone else; It's unacceptable to me.”

There is much to like about the German – Guardiola says he has “an incredible opinion of Daniel” – but the veteran manager is starting to look fatigued. Very soon, the club's board must choose whether to stand by him, or sack him.