Following Leeds United’s emphatic 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle United under the lights at Elland Road, former Manchester United and England goalkeeper Ben Foster has weighed in on the club’s stellar start to the campaign.
Speaking alongside Andy Goldstein on talkSPORT, Foster admitted that he is far from shocked by Daniel Farke’s side hitting the ground running, pointing out that their current momentum is a direct continuation of how strongly they finished the previous season.
Why Leeds’ Success Should Come As No Surprise
Unbeaten through their opening four league matches, the Whites have picked up statement results and performances against the likes of Brighton, Brentford, Nottingham Forest, and now Newcastle. According to Foster, much of this success stems from continuity, leadership, and keeping the core of the squad intact under Farke.
“I actually don’t even know why it’s so much of a surprise that they’ve got off to a great start,” Foster told talkSPORT.
“If you look at how they finished last season; they beat Man United at Old Trafford, drew with Bournemouth, drew with Tottenham, and beat Brighton at home. There’s no surprise really. They’ve kept their solid squad together, and the teams they have already beaten this season are decent teams as well.”
Highlighting the manner in which Leeds dismantled a high-flying Newcastle side, Foster stressed that Farke’s men have proved they can comfortably compete with established top-flight opposition.
Setting Realistic Ceilings and Aims
When quizzed on what a realistic target should be for Leeds this term—with some pundits like Simon Jordan even floating outside shouts for a European push—Foster offered a grounded yet highly complimentary perspective on where the club should position itself.
“I think for Leeds, a realistic ceiling or realistic aim for them needs to be to start getting mentioned in the same ilk as Brentfords and Bournemouths,” Foster explained. “And if they can start to attach their name to them when they start to talk about that sort of ilk of team, then I think Leeds will do very well to do that.”
Looking Ahead: Building on Solid Foundations
While comparisons to well-run Premier League mainstays like Brentford and Brighton are high praise, Leeds fans are naturally dreaming even bigger following their jump into the top four. Armed with a strengthened squad from a productive summer transfer window and the tactical stability provided by Daniel Farke, the Whites appear well-equipped to improve upon last year’s 14th-place finish and cement their status as a formidable force in the top flight.
