Leeds United supporters have been particularly quiet in the Transfer Tavern this week after seeing their side lose back-to-back home Championship matches at the hands of Sheffield United and Derby County to fall outside of the division’s play-off positions.

Thomas Christiansen’s men sat top of the division back in September after winning five and drawing the other two of their opening seven matches, but things have somewhat tailed off since then with just two victories from six prior to the two aforementioned clashes. But things haven’t got any better for the Yorkshire giants as Chris Wilder’s Blades secured a 2-1 victory at Elland Road last Friday, and Gary Rowett’s Derby also sealed a 2-1 success against Christiansen’s side in midweek to inflict a sixth defeat of the campaign on the Whites, all of which have come in their last eight games.

Thus, there is much to ponder for the 44-year-old ahead of this weekend’s clash against a resurgent Brentford at Griffin Park, while several of our resident Leeds supporters in the Tavern have been weighing up whether Christiansen is indeed the right man for the job following their testing run of form.

The former APOEL boss took over from Garry Monk in the summer and oversaw a huge turnover of players at Elland Road, yet proceeded to make a great start with 17 points from a possible 21 to start the campaign.

However, things haven’t gone as well since, and as such here are THREE reasons why the Leeds hierarchy should axe the 44-year-old…

Horrendous run of form

Although they made a fast start to the new season, things have quickly gone downhill for Christiansen and his Leeds team in recent times.

The Yorkshire giants were top of the division back in September but have since lost six of their eight Championship matches, including five of their last six.

What will be of particular concern to Leeds fans is that they’ve lost three on the bounce at home, with struggling Reading, Sheffield United, and Derby County all picking up victories from their trip to Elland Road.

And just when one sensed that they had stopped the rot with a 3-0 win at Bristol City, they lose back-to-back games in the space of five days.

Managers have been sacked for less in the past, and their recent poor run, especially at home, could bring about the end for Christiansen.

Tough games coming up before Christmas

Ultimately, there are no easy games in the Championship, but Leeds have a particularly tricky run of fixtures after the forthcoming international break, and thus could look to make a change in that fortnight’s interruption.

Before then, they face a tricky trip to resurgent Brentford, who are unbeaten in eight, while their first game after the internationals is at home to former boss Garry Monk and his Middlesbrough side, who have won back-to-back matches and are up to eighth.

After that comes table-toppers Wolves at Molineux before a Yorkshire derby against Barnsley at Oakwell, who have lost just one of their last six, after which Steve Bruce’s high-flying Aston Villa visit Elland Road.

A trip to Queens Park Rangers, who have lost just once at home this term, as well as visits from relegated duo Norwich City and Hull City also lie in wait before Christmas, and the Leeds hierarchy may look at that run and decide to bring a new man in or risk falling well off the pace.

The international break could be the best time to do it, especially if Leeds do not get a positive result at Griffin Park on Saturday.

Many teams are getting stronger, but Leeds aren’t

It’s usually about this stage of the season when the best teams begin to get stronger and pick up some form to climb the division.

Derby have won four in a row, Villa have lost just one in 12, and Middlesbrough are just outside the play-off spots after a solid run of form – yet Leeds are going backwards.

They look like the team that made a fast start but can’t maintain it and thus have tailed off, whereas Bristol City, Sheffield United, Cardiff City, and Wolves, all of whom also made impressive starts, remain in the top four places in the division.

Many sides are getting stronger, but Leeds certainly aren’t, and that will surely be of concern to the club’s hierarchy, who may decide that Christiansen is thus not the man to take them forward.