Leeds United need to get off to a fast start in 2017/18.
Leeds United kick off their Championship campaign on Sunday when they take on Bolton Wanderers.
The Yorkshire side will be favoured to win against newly promoted Bolton, and it is their second away league opener in a row.
Last season Leeds lost 3-0 to QPR, a disastrous performance which ruined the feel good factor after a positive initial summer under Garry Monk.
Monk’s Leeds recovered to finish seventh, but their slow start was a contributing factor in missing out on the play-offs.
Former striker turned pundit Noel Whelan told BBC Radio Leeds that he felt last season Leeds simply were not prepared enough and hopes this campaign they are ready.
He said: “We’d like to get off to really big start, but are under no illusions, Bolton will be a really tough test.
“We found that out at QPR last season. We looked miles off the pace and were not fit enough. It took four weeks to get up to speed.”
Leeds have had a busy pre-season this time, playing games in Austria and last weekend at Elland Road.
At this stage last year there were no warning signs the team were under prepared, and the 3-0 defeat at QPR shell shocked players and staff.
Bolton away is a tough fixture as they have the momentum of last season’s promotion campaign behind them.
This is a new Leeds United side under new management with several new faces. An early hiccup would not be a surprise, and would make a victory away at Bolton on opening day look even more impressive.
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