"Pressure on" - Pundit reacts to fresh Leeds United, Elland Road developments | OneFootball

The Whites have recently released their plans to increase their home by over 15,000 seats

Carlton Palmer has backed Daniel Farke to get promotion with Leeds United this season, despite the added pressure as the club announced its plans to expand the capacity at Elland Road over the coming years.

The Whites issued the update surrounding the size of their stadium earlier this week, with plans in place to increase the ground from its current 37,645 capacity to 53,000.

The Yorkshire side consistently sellout their home in its current form, and have big plans in place to allow more supporters the chance to watch their beloved side, although there is currently no timescale in place for the projected plans.

With that in mind, promotion to the Premier League would likely be paramount to the projected clamour to attend, and Palmer believes Farke can deal with the added pressure that could fall upon his shoulders with the stadium news.

Leeds United announce Elland Road expansion plan

The expansion at Elland Road is said to focus on the North and West stands to increase capacity, with owners 49ers Enterprises keen to get as many match-going fans as possible in their renovated home.

Having done similar in San Francisco for the NFL team’s Levi’s Stadium, the chiefs in Yorkshire have set about a new-look home ground for the EFL outfit, who will be knocking on the door of the Premier League once again this season.

Having missed out in the Championship playoff final to Southampton last time around, Palmer believes there will be pressure on Farke to get over the line this time around, with the big plans for the football club putting even more emphasis on their success.

Palmer said: “Leeds United have announced plans of a 53,000 all-seater stadium on Monday, they announced the extension plans as the first steps in a new future for the old ground.

“Apparently, they have a waiting list for season tickets of 26,000 people, so it is becoming very difficult, and they want to get ready for life in the Premier League and increasing revenue for that.

“There has been no developments made to Elland Road since the changes to the East Stand in 2011, which led to a minor reduction in capacity.

“This upgrade will lead to an increase in capacity, so the maximum at Elland Road is 37, 645 and with the new revamp they will go to a capacity of 53,000.

“This is fantastic news for Leeds United, but what it does is put pressure on Daniel Farke and his team to get promotion.

“I have said before that I am a big admirer of Daniel Farke, I think he has had a lot to do and a lot to contend with last season. Hitting 90 points and all the things he had to contend with there.

“90 points generally gets promotion, I think they will get 90 points again this season and they should get promoted, but he has a lot to contend with in signing crucial players in [Archie] Gray and [Crysencio] Summerville, it has been tough for him.”

Carlton Palmer backs Daniel Farke to achieve Leeds United promotion

Leeds finished third in the Championship last season, as they narrowly missed out in the three-horse race for automatic promotion, with Leicester City and Ipswich Town scooping the top two prizes.

The Whites then missed out to Southampton at Wembley for the chance to achieve a return to the top flight, meaning they have to go through it all again in the 24/25 campaign.

Despite that, Palmer has backed Farke to get the job done this time around, and set the football club up for success as the stadium around them continues to expand.

He continued: “I still envisage Daniel Farke getting Leeds back to the promised land this season, but it does add increased pressure this season.

“Because you get there and you get increased revenue, and it is fantastic for the football club.

“Let me tell you, Leeds United supporters are absolutely fantastic, so even if they are still in the Championship they will still sell out 53,000, but that stadium and a club like Leeds United want to be back in the Championship.

“So come Christmas, the 49ers will do what they have to do so they have got to back Daniel Farke in the transfer market came January, and that will give them the final push to get up, and I believe they will do it this season.”