'Calm' Farke deserves a shot at Premier League

After eight minutes of the promotion-clinching performance against Stoke City yesterday, BBC Radio Leeds commentator Adam Pope said: "You feel it's over already, what more can Leeds United do?"

The Whites stormed past sorry Stoke with the swagger of champions, unbound by the pressure the chase for promotion had put on them.

It was all-precision on the pitch and utter pandemonium in the stands. But the seeds of this performance were sown earlier in the run-in.

Every side has a rough patch – form falters, refereeing decisions don't go your way and injuries or ill-discipline deplete your squad. During the Peacocks' dip in form in March and the start of April, Daniel Farke remained calm.

On 29 March after a 2-2 draw against Swansea City at Elland Road left Leeds two points behind then-leaders Sheffield United, Farke said: "I'm 100% convinced that next season we will play in the Premier League."

Some criticised him for saying that.

And when Leeds drew 1-1 at Luton the following week to make it three successive draws and promotion was slipping out of their hands, the German was criticised again when he called the result "a good point on the road".

Promotion rivals Sheffield United also had a blip this month, but they didn't appear to stay so calm after their game with Plymouth ended with a fracas in the tunnel.

But as all around them seemed to be losing their heads, Leeds kept theirs. Staying calm worked for Farke, who has written himself into United's history.

And in spite of his critics – and there are still some who want a new manager – Farke has earned his shot at the Premier League.

There will be more rough patches in the top tier of English football, and navigating them safely will be the key to staying up.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock