Peter Crouch has been impressed by Leeds United's start to life back in the Premier League and believes they will be looking up rather than down the table this season.
Marcelo Bielsa's men secured promotion from the Championship last season and have earned plenty of plaudits already since making their long-awaited return to the top flight.
Going into Friday night's clash with Aston Villa, Leeds had taken seven points from their opening five league fixtures.
They have given reigning champions Liverpool and runners-up Manchester City big scares, while beating Fulham and Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United.
They were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday evening.
Player-turned-pundit Crouch does not see Leeds becoming embroiled in a relegation battle this term and reckons they can push for a top-half finish.
"I just think there's no fear with the teams that come up these days," the former Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and England striker told BT Sport.
"I remember back in the day when teams would come up and you'd just assumed they would go back down, but I just don't see that with Leeds at all.
"They could comfortably push for the top half. I know perhaps results haven't been perfect for them, but they've had Liverpool, they've had Man City and the only real problem they've had was the Wolves game.
"They would have probably expected to get a result from that, but they've played some difficult teams and they've given a really good account of themselves, considering they've just come up.
"They've pushed everyone to the limit in every game."
