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Regardless of opinion, the Leeds manager has become a solitary shield, insulating team members and executives from increasing fan frustration at Elland Road.

Decisive Fixture List Approaching

Leeds visits Pep Guardiola's team on matchday with Farke keenly mindful that defeat against his respected colleague Pep Guardiola will only amplify suggestions that the available coach could soon take over his parking space.

Although uncertain as to whether Rodgers, without a club after a dramatic divorce from Celtic in the fall, would actually want the job, five unsuccessful results in the past six top-flight matches have raised awkward questions about his job security.

With the trip to the Manchester venue succeeded by fixtures with the London club and Liverpool on Wednesday and Saturday respectively, a pivotal week approaches for the coach who, only a few months ago, achieved advancement from the second tier.

Externally Composed

“I prefer it that the external criticism is on the head and not the squad,” the manager commented on recently. “I must act as a figurehead who remains composed and avoids thinking about his personal future. The focus is on how the club can survive in the top flight permanently.

“I’ll be honest, it's far from fun at the moment; we face a lot of flak. But I don’t need to hide. I was aware of how intense this team is from the outset here. Unless you tolerate the pressure steer clear of being manager of this club. I didn't anticipate this season to be an straightforward journey.”

Missteps and Incorrect Criticism

No manager is flawless and, during the team's decline to 18th, the head coach has definitely made mistakes. Even so, the disaffected supporter who tried to approach him in the coaching zone during the recent loss at Elland Road by the Midlands club was possibly targeting the wrong man.

If a last-ditch intervention from stewards prevented what could have been an serious altercation, the wider chants of “You're clueless” aimed at the coach could, alternatively, have just as easily targeted at the club’s chair, Robbie Evans, Adam Underwood and the head of recruitment.

Investment and Regret

After all, although approximately one hundred million pounds was used on 10 new faces in the summer, the manager's repeated close-season warnings about the need to add more “goal threat” went overlooked. Meanwhile, a short distance away, a newly promoted the Wearside club team was strengthened by a exceptionally smart £167m spending spree that has left Régis Le Bris fully able to showcase his coaching ability.

Might it have been different for the Leeds boss had two key targets not selected the other side rather than the Yorkshire outfit, or if the club's investors, the San Francisco-based 49er Enterprises, had been more able to comply with the top-flight regulations? Prospects would surely improved had the striker not underachieved so clearly. On the underwhelming evidence to date, Leeds might have been more successful sticking with the former striker.

Injuries and Determination

On a positive note, equipped with two respectable engine room operators in £17m Anton Stach and the experienced player last window but, ominously, the two will be unavailable at the City's ground. Stach is under head injury guidelines, while a muscle problem will exclude the other player for a significant period. However, the coach is thinking of quitting.

“Metrics prove we rank highly with Manchester City in terms of fitness levels and fitness levels this campaign,” says Farke. “I see how cohesive the squad are. The lacking element is the decisive touch in both boxes. We have to improve small aspects.

“But we knew a tough period might occur. Securing survival would be a notable accomplishment. Over the last seasons all the promoted sides went quickly demoted but I believe we can succeed in our goal”. The aim is around 38 points and, with 11 accumulated from 12 games of the season so far, Leeds have not, in fairness, strayed significantly off course.

Necessary Improvements

• Preventing any further deviation will surely require Farke finding his attackers' scoring form and repairing the often exposed left defense of the defensive unit.
• Furthermore perhaps changing the increasingly error-prone Lucas Perri with the backup keeper in goal and, possibly, identifying an upgrade to the heavily criticized the attacking midfielder on the right wing of his forward line.
• Aaronson's exceptional effort and committed covering supports the team in defense but, creatively, he has failed to impress.

Handling Discontent

However, the coach is satisfied by the supporter criticism to the attacker. “Can it honestly be how we want to treat another human being in our society?” the manager asks. “We gain satisfaction if we can vent our displeasure on another human being; I disapprove.”

Plenty of admirable qualities about the manager – the City boss says he has “great respect for Farke” – but the experienced tactician is beginning to appear battle weary. Shortly, the team's executives must decide whether to support him, or sack him.