Paul Robinson has shared his worries about Leeds United dropping into the Championship play-offs this season but still has hope that the side can go up automatically.
While the Whites are just three points behind Ipswich Town in second place, Daniel Farke and his players are relying heavily on their Championship rivals to slip up against Huddersfield Town on the final day of the season.
The Tractor Boys will need to lose against the Terriers if Leeds are to have any chance of securing an automatic promotion spot, while they will need to claim all three points against Southampton on Saturday 4 May.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “They’re having a bit of wobble. Leeds against Middlesbrough – the 4-3 – I thought the way they got that result would have spurred them on until the end of the season, and see them claim the second automatic promotion spot.
“I’ve not given up on it, but play-offs… I don’t like the play-offs. Nobody can predict them. I haven’t experienced it personally, to not go up automatically. The season in the Championship with Burnley, we went up automatically. I couldn’t think of anything worse than dropping into the play-offs at that time.
“But it’s something the players need to find in themselves, they have to go again. It’s a lottery. Without the old cliches and all the old sayings, from a Leeds point of view, it isn’t something they’ll relish should they end up in the play-offs.
“But when that final whistle sounds in the play-off final, if they’re the winners, it’s one of the best days there are. The play-offs are not nice. When you look at the teams going into the play-offs, like West Brom, Norwich, Hull, the ones that are at the bottom, that are carrying momentum, actually want to be in the play-offs.
“Leeds don’t want to be in the play-offs and it’s a difficult place to be. They’re a double-edged sword. The teams that strive to get into the play-offs, it would be a huge achievement for them, and they’re on a roll and in form. Whereas with Leeds or Ipswich, it’ll be a huge disappointment. There will be two very different mentalities when they start.”
Will Leeds United have to settle for the Championship play-offs?
Despite such a positive campaign under the leadership of Daniel Farke, it looks ever more likely that Leeds will have to settle for a Championship play-off spot.
Ipswich look certain to obtain the final automatic promotion spot and will need just a single point at home against relegation-threatened Huddersfield on the final day of the season.
Though this would be a huge blow for the Whites, Farke’s previous experience in the division with Norwich City should help steer Leeds back to the Premier League.
The team have shown just how incredible they have been all season, even battling against Premier League opposition in the FA Cup, which should see them overcome the likes of Southampton, Norwich, West Brom or Hull City if needed.
In other Leeds United news, a teenage sensation is now set to snub Manchester United in order to move to Elland Road.
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