Sheffield United are ahead of Leeds United in the Championship automatic promotion race as Chris Wilder pushes his team towards returning to the Premier League. They are in better form than Leeds despite losing at Oxford United on Saturday. However, the Blades boss is not expecting a smooth ride if they are to get promoted to the top flight this season.
Daniel Farke and his Leeds players are under serious pressure to turn things around soon after winning just one of their last six Championship games.
Burnley and Sheffield United appear to be the favourites to earn automatic promotion at this stage. However, they are also feeling the pressure given what is at stake.
Wilder has been the pantomime villain for Leeds fans and has often taken shots at the Whites throughout the season. But even he conceded that his team are going to suffer more disappointments in the remaining six games of the campaign.
“Hell lot of football still left” – Chris Wilder
Sheffield United’s defeat at Oxford United on Saturday helped Leeds, who were reeling after dropping more points at Luton Town.
Wilder is happy with the reaction he has seen from the players in training since the defeat, but conceded that there could be a couple more such results in the remaining six games.
He is not expecting any of the top three teams to win all six remaining games, and is certain that his side will keep fighting until the end.
“The reaction to disappointment’s been tremendous, but we’re always going to have setbacks through a season”, the Blades boss told The Star.
“We might have a couple more between now and the end as well, but I’m confident and secure in my belief that this team will go to the end, with or without those supporters.
“We’ll keep believing, keep consistent and keep driving this forward. There’s still a hell of a lot of football to be played, and I’m sure all three teams won’t win six out of six. And if we do, then we know where that takes us.
“If not, we have to deal with it and move on. We focus on what we can focus on, which is the next game. Stick to our beliefs, replicate the behaviours we’ve shown all season and go again.”
Leeds United must be ready to pounce if Sheffield United slip up
A run of one win in six has ensured Leeds are no longer the favourites to earn automatic promotion to the Premier League, which seemed like a done deal a month back.
Burnley and Sheffield United are in better form, and Leeds are in for a tough trip to Middlesbrough tonight, which could be a pivotal game in the promotion race.
Can you name the season these 10 Leeds United shirts are from?
However, it is still very tight at the top, and Burnley and Sheffield United are slated to face each other later this month. Leeds could still get into the top two if they sort out their form.
And if Wilder is right, and Sheffield United drop more points, Leeds need to put themselves in a position to take advantage of those results in the next few weeks.
