Graham Smyth has shared what Leeds United must do to claim automatic promotion from the Championship following their shock 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (13 April).
The Whites are battling against Ipswich Town, Leicester City, and a revitalised Southampton side, who are locked in a four-way tussle for the top two spots.
Leeds missed an opportunity to reclaim the role of league leaders after Sammie Szmodics netted his 24th Championship goal of the season, and Smyth has warned about the “nightmare-ish” teams waiting in the playoffs.
Speaking via the Inside Elland Road podcast on Thursday (18 April), Smyth said: “Leeds have finally lost. The streak [unbeaten at home] has come to an end, but now you have to go on another one.
“That’s the harsh, unrelenting nature of trying to get promoted out of a division that has two other parachute payments teams, a team that are putting together an unbelievable season in Ipswich, and a whole host of teams that are going to be very worthy playoff candidates, and will prove nightmare-ish in the playoffs.
“You simply have to bounce out of a defeat like that with a win, or into a draw and follow that with a draw. Then, you’re back on the right course. What you absolutely cannot do is wallow in the depths of despair and frustration.”
Can Leeds United pip Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton to the Championship title?
The league title was very clear a couple of months ago, with the Foxes leading a rather convincing charge at the top of the Championship table.
However, with just a handful of matches left to be played, few people can confidently predict the final outcome and stick with it each week as teams continue to slip up.
Leeds’ 1-0 loss to Blackburn was mirrored by Enzo Maresca’s Leicester side, having lost 1-0 to Plymouth Argyle, while Ipswich were only able to pick up a point against Middlesbrough.
The Saints are now in contention to rise into the automatic promotion spots after consecutive victories against Coventry City, Watford and Preston.
With only five points separating the four teams now, not only is the Championship title winner set to come right down to the wire, but also which two teams are going to narrowly miss out and drop into the dreaded playoffs.
In other Everton news, King has labelled the Premier League a “laughing stock” after what a Luton Town star said last week.
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