‘Another bullet’ – Leeds United’s play-off verdict after ‘obvious reasons’ hit hard

Nothing has changed in the promotion race for Leeds United, despite winning just one of their last five games, as they are chasing the top two as they have been since day one of this season. That’s the view of Daniel Farke, who tried to ease the pressure on his players ahead of Monday’s trip to Middlesbrough.

The Whites were eight points behind Leicester City and Ipswich Town as of mid-September after seven games had been played. Leeds had two wins and were trailing their rivals as they have been with two weeks of the season to go.

A 15-game unbeaten run since the start of the year finally closed the gap and put United in contention for the title, which changed the parameters of the run-in somewhat. Hopes and expectations were understandably high on the terraces, but a slump since the international break has angered fans.

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“Not that much has changed because we’ve had a difficult start to the season for the obvious reason, we don’t need to talk about it,” Farke said. “Even after three days of playing we had two points and the teams sitting there at the top of the table, Leicester, Ipswich, started with nine points.

“So even from this point, we had to watch and the first nine, 10 games, for obvious reasons, were difficult, but from this point, we’re just in the role of watcher. So all season we’ve been in the role of the chaser and the only thing that’s happened is we’re getting closer.”

Farke’s effort to change the narrative around Leeds from a title challenger to an upwardly mobile play-off contender was clear to see. Automatic promotion remains his and the players’ hope over the next three games, but he accepts they have another bullet in the gym if they need it after May 4.

“To be perfectly honest, yes, with a better result than last week, it could have been the first time we’ve led from the front,” he said. “Yes, we know that, he would have appreciated that, but if I’m honest, after this week, nothing has changed for us.

“We are still in the role of the chaser. So that’s more or less what I did for 43 days of play. Right now we will continue. As I mentioned before, it’s not like we’re giving anything away.

“If you’re always just chasing, you can only win and that’s what we want to do right now. We want to make sure, with the perfect result in the last three games, maybe we can climb the table in the top two and be there with automatic promotion.

“If not, then fine, we accept that and then use the play-off rush, the big target promotion. Nothing has changed and for that we are looking forward to having the three games.

“So we appreciate that we are in a situation where we are getting closer and closer and still have a chance to finish in the top two. It’s great and if not, we have one more shot, which is the play-offs.”