LEGEND TONY WARNS FANS: DON’T DORIGO OVERBOARD...
TONY DORIGO has warned Leeds United fans to temper their expectations, saying: “This season is all about Premier League survival.”
The Yorkshire giants enjoyed a fine start to their first top-flight campaign in 16 years, but successive 4-1 thumpings by Leicester and Crystal Palace have pushed them towards the drop zone.
Arsenal are the visitors to Elland Road this afternoon and another defeat would spell more misery and gloom for Marcelo Bielsa’s men.
Former left-back Dorigo, part of Leeds’ title-winning side of 1992, does not fear relegation, but believes some supporters must lower their sights.
The 54-year-old cautioned: “It’s great for the fans to dream, but, realistically, the goal at the start of the season, for me, was always to finish 13th or 14th. Anything better than that and I would be absolutely delighted.
“What’s pretty clear with Leeds is that they need their best team on the field and Kalvin Phillips and Rodrigo have been badly missed in the last couple of games.
“With Leeds there is only a Plan A and, if it goes wrong, then they have to do Plan A much better. It is great to watch, but I think, with that style, if we are slightly below par, we will concede a few goals and that’s what happened against Leicester and Palace.
“I don’t think you’ll see Leeds’ performances level out. They will be up and down, so we’ll win some spectacularly and lose some too.
“That’s the way Marcelo sets up and, against top-quality opposition, you’re going to sometimes come unstuck.
“The owner Andrea Radrizzani has come out and said that, in three to five years, he wants Leeds to be challenging the top six – and that’s right. But this season is about getting a foothold in the division.
“Leeds will have their ups and downs, but I believe they will have enough to stay in the division and win a few games along the way.”
Dorigo, who won 15 England caps, reckons in-form Patrick Bamford could join Leeds team-mate Phillips in
Gareth Southgate’s England side.
Dorigo added: “If he keeps scoring, he has to be included.”