The Local Lowdown: Leeds United

How was last season’s relegation viewed by the club and fans?

Like most relegations: with great anger, sadness and frustration. The most painful aspect of the club’s demise last season was the undoing of the work and progress made by Marcelo Bielsa in his tenure, which culminated with a ninth-place Premier League finish in 2021.

Everyone felt as though the club should have kicked on or stabilised at that stage, but the next two seasons would be hard going. A run of 10 points from 18 going into the final nine games of the season gave everyone some hope of survival, but an implosion to Crystal Palace saw them fall to two points from the final 27 available.

Joël Piroe (left) was a marquee summer signing from Swansea

What was the expectation coming into a new start in the Championship?

It would be a difficult August while the transfer window maelstrom swirled, but once that was out of the way United could look to build a promotion push headed by a serial winner at this level. With the window now dealt with, the squad looks in good condition and seems to have the talent required to be there or thereabouts in May.

It was a tough start but it looks like things have started to click in recent weeks. What’s changed under Daniel Farke?

The new manager has already made big improvements on the field with his style of play. Crucially, confidence is growing throughout the squad after two years of poor results in the top flight.

That frame of mind is reflected in the risks being successfully taken with the ball in playing out from the back and passing through teams with domination of possession. Farke has pulled all aspects of the club together too with his honest comments on what went wrong before at Leeds and what will not be repeated on his watch.

Sam Byram (centre) has been influential on his return to Elland Road

It’s six league games unbeaten and four clean sheets on the trot. Who have been the standout players in that run?

Sam Byram has been tremendous at left-back. The United academy product left the club in 2016, but returned this summer as a free agent having worked with Farke at Norwich City.

Injuries have dogged the defender for years, but he has managed to avoid anything too serious up to this point and has been one of the most consistent performers through this unbeaten run. Pascal Struijk has been very solid at the back too, while Crysencio Summerville has been a livewire in attack.

Ethan Ampadu keeps things ticking over in the middle, while Georginio Rutter was electric in the weekend win over Watford.

How do you see the game going on Saturday?

It’s easy to be biased, but it’s hard to look at the contrasting form of each side and not expect an away win. Evidently, the Southampton squad looks outstanding on paper, but four consecutive losses must make them vulnerable when Farke’s side arrive with their tails up.