Former Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford believes his old club will survive the Premier League axe this season. As it stands, the Whites are just two points above the bottom three and embroiled in another relegation dogfight.
Just two wins in 16 games across all competitions has piled the pressure on Jesse Marsch. No win in seven has triggered debates at Elland Road about the American’s future in the dugout.
Last year, Leeds survived by the skin of their teeth on the final day. Most bookmakers backed the Whites to succumb to their second-season syndrome and go hurtling back to the Championship.
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An inspired victory away at Brentford saved their bacon but the 2022-23 campaign has followed a similar pattern. Andrea Radrizzani has acted early in the January transfer market, with Maximilian Wober signing and Georginio Rutter expected to complete a move.
The Italian will hope both players can make an immediate impact to help Marsch steer Leeds clear of the bottom three. While the Whites’ fate is up for debate, ex-striker Beckford does not expect his former club to go down.
“I don’t think so (whether Leeds will be relegated),” he told Sky Sports before the Aston Villa clash. “Leeds have made strides in the transfer window early doors which is something that hasn’t been done in a while.
“So I think that does a bit to ease the worry or concerns that Leeds fans have had over the last couple of seasons - the last couple of windows especially. Ultimately, everybody believes in the process.
“I had a conversation with a lot of the boys about 15 minutes ago and every single one of them seemed positive. They seemed upbeat. They knew exactly what the game plan was, what the thought process is, and they believe in it (staying up).”
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