Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch could be in danger of losing his job if results don't improve in the next few games, journalist Phil Hay has hinted.
The Lowdown: Another defeat for Leeds
The Whites were beaten 1-0 at home to Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, with Patrick Bamford's second-half penalty miss proving costly.
Leeds' latest defeat sees them languishing in 15th in the table, with a level of pressure perhaps starting to grow Marsch after a worrying run of just two points from six matches.
The American could be beginning to feel the heat if that sorry run continues, and the next few weeks could prove to be pivotal in terms of his future.
The Latest: Hay warns of potential 'rut'
Writing in a matchday Q&A for The Athletic, Hay hinted that the upcoming matches against Leicester City and Fulham could prove to be vital for Marsch.
In response to a Leeds supporter asking if 'the board will act' on the 48-year-old's future 'if the Leicester and Fulham games go wrong', the journalist replied:
"It’s probably quite telling that people are asking that at this early stage. It reveals a general lack of confidence in where this team are going, I think."Leicester and Fulham could change the form very quickly but I feel like they need to, especially with Liverpool away on the other side of them. As the club saw last season, getting into a rut is dangerous."
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The Verdict: Still the right man
While Marsch can certainly be open to criticism considering Leeds' recent form, it is important that the owners don't have a knee-jerk reaction and get rid of him too soon.
Results need to improve, without question, and failure to beat either Leicester or Fulham would really crank up the heat, but for now the 48-year-old has credit in the bank.
Nonetheless, the thought that Marsch's future could be under the spotlight does indicate that it has has been a disappointing start to the season at Elland Road, and this feels like a vital period in their campaign as the fixtures come thick and fast prior to the World Cup break next month.
Hay's point about Leeds potentially falling into a 'rut' is also pertinent, when you think back to the final weeks under Marcelo Bielsa last winter as the Whites lost six out of seven, including a 6-0 thrashing at upcoming opponents Liverpool.