What next for Leeds after a frustrating end to the transfer window?

Daniel Farke was unequivocal about what he wanted from Leeds United in the final hours of the transfer window.

“In order to be ready for a long, competitive season, we definitely need a bit more quality options up front and, of course, we’re trying to do this,” said the German following Saturday’s goalless draw with Newcastle. 

“We know what we have to do, that we need to strengthen the squad a little bit in these positions.”

It has been a recurring refrain from Farke, whose side have failed to score from open play in their three Premier League outings so far. 

New signings but little creativity

Nobody could accuse Leeds of failing to back their manager following last season’s promotion campaign, not after the signing of 10 players at a combined cost of more than £100m.

While Patrick Bamford has departed, new faces include Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who arrived on a free transfer from Everton, and the Switzerland striker Noah Okafor, an £18m acquisition from AC Milan. Former Manchester City forward Lukas Nmecha was also signed, again on a free transfer, from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.

Creating opportunities for an attacking roster that also includes the Dutch forward Joël Piroe, last season’s Championship golden boot winner, has nonetheless remained problematic for Farke.

Leeds targeted the Brighton playmaker Facundo Buonanotte only to be gazumped by Chelsea, and that blow was compounded by the collapse of a move for Harry Wilson, the Fulham and Wales winger, just minutes before Monday night’s 7pm transfer deadline.

Those setbacks mean Farke will now be forced to make do and mend with attacking options that, with trademark frankness, he has openly admitted may not be adequate. With that in mind, much will now depend on how well he is able to marshal his squad between now and the January transfer window.

“We won’t raise the white flag and say, ‘OK, that’s it’”

For all Leeds’ lack of creativity, the early signs are encouraging, with the club taking four points from their opening two home games against Everton and Newcastle. A five-goal rout at Arsenal may be regarded as an outlier, with visits to Fulham and Wolves later this month likely to be more indicative of how Leeds will fare on their travels.

Following those visits to Craven Cottage and Molineux, three of the club’s next four Premier League fixtures are at Elland Road. Farke will hope that he can use those games against Bournemouth, Tottenham and West Ham to establish the foundations for survival by continuing to grind out results.

It will not be easy, but Leeds have bought well in defence, while Nmecha and late substitute Calvert-Lewin both did enough against Newcastle to encourage hope of better things to come. Meanwhile, the affable Farke will not be throwing in the towel.

“Everyone wants to add, in the offence, some more quality players,” he said after the draw with Eddie Howe’s side. “If not, we also won’t raise the white flag and say, ‘OK, that’s it’. 

“We have shown we are competitive in the first three games, but it will be difficult.”