"Everybody should pipe down" - Pundit reacts to Daniel Farke talk at Leeds United | OneFootball

The pundit has spoken exclusively to FLW about the Whites' manager, agreeing with Derby County's boss' comments.

Carlton Palmer has backed Daniel Farke at Leeds United following Paul Warne's praise for the Whites' manager ahead of their clash with Derby County at Elland Road on Saturday.

The two sides have not faced each other since the Yorkshire club won the Championship title at Pride Park in 2021, and it's a game that has a lot of recent history behind it with late goals, play-off comebacks and 'Spygate' well remembered by both fanbases.

However, there is a strong level of respect between the two managers ahead of this weekend's clash, with the Rams' boss praising his opponent for the job that he has done at Elland Road over the course of the season-and-a-half.

Warne paid compliment to Farke in his pre-match press conference: "Well I can't believe he's under any pressure at all," the 51-year-old started. "If we're going off an echo chamber on social media, then maybe he is. I've been to Leeds this year, I didn't hear one bad thing about him. I heard the atmosphere was electric, the team played really well."

Last season was brutal for Leeds, and losing in the play-off final did hurt supporters, players and Farke himself. The team had been in contention for promotion over the course of the year, before falling at the final hurdle.

The new campaign has brought about the same expectations for the Whites, and the former Norwich City boss will know that he has to get the club back to the Premier League this season.

There is some pressure on him because of this, something that comes as a surprise to not only Derby's manager, but also player-turned-pundit, Palmer.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, he said: "Paul Warne has come out in support of Daniel Farke at Leeds United, and I absolutely am on his side. I don't get where the grumblings are coming from. He's had injury after injury, they didn't get promotion last season, and I know the aim was to get automatic promotion, and they just missed out.

"There was a lot of turmoil at the football club, there's been a lot of turmoil this season. He had to get rid of Summerville, Archie Gray. It's been difficult for him. He's had injuries, and they’re sat in 3rd place, only three points off the leaders, Sheffield United."

Palmer continued: "So, I don't know where this sort of negativity is surrounding Daniel Farke. I think he's done a fantastic job. I think he needs to get them promoted this season, whether it's automatic or via the play-offs. I think that's his job, and he needs to get that done, and he's in pole position to do that.

"They’re five points clear of the bottom club Watford in the play-off situation. He's had injuries, and they're going along very, very nicely. They've won 10 games, the same as Burnley. Only Sheffield United have won two games more.

"They've drawn five games, which is one game less than Burnley and two games more than Sheffield United. So, I think Daniel Farke is the right man for the job and I think everybody should pipe down a bit and let's see where they are at the end of the season."

Farke must maintain this run of form

After an inconsistent start, Leeds have finally found their feet once again, and although they were beaten by Blackburn Rovers in their last fixture, they have shown enough quality to prove themselves as a contender for the top two.

Automatic promotion is vital for the Whites, especially with their history in the play-offs, and they must ensure that they keep themselves with Burnley and Sheffield United over the course of the next few months.

Warne is right about Farke, and there should not be any pressure on his job, but supporters will remember last season and their failure to win promotion at the first time of asking with a squad that may have been slightly stronger than this campaign's.

Nevertheless, it would be an extreme decision to sack the German at this stage with Leeds currently 3rd in the table, and within touching distance of the league leaders. The coming weeks are incredibly important to the rest of their season, but they have given themselves a fantastic platform to build from.