The last two weeks of my life as a Leeds United fan have
been possibly the most frustrating since our last flirtation with financial
turmoil. Credit must go to GFH who have, against the odds, trumped relegations,
play-off final defeats and Bates-induced fits of rage to earn their place at
the top of a long list of Leeds United low points. There has been frenzied
media coverage of the chaos at Elland Road in recent times, and our sincere
thanks go to @PhilHayYEP and @APOPEY for their attempts to keep the fans
informed. This week at @LUFC_Calypso, we thought we would put the takeover
madness to one side and focus on what really matters – the football. Can we
still hope to sneak into the play-offs or should we consolidate for next
season? Can McDermott rally the troops given the uncertainty surrounding his
position? Brian has repeatedly stated that Leeds must be ‘in the hunt’ with 10
games to go, so we take a look at our next 7 games and what needs to be done to
ensure this is the case.
The Championship tables for the last six seasons make very
interesting viewing. The required points tally for 6th place is
generally getting lower and 68 points, the lowest tally since the
Championship’s inception, was enough last year to take Palace into the
play-offs. The average for the last six seasons has been 72 points, 30 more
than we currently have with 17 games to go, and so the focus must be on
securing as much as possible from the next 7 fixtures. The last 10 games are
notoriously unreliable; clubs struggling for survival can take points from
those further up the division and consequently a run of wins before Easter can
push a team from mid-table obscurity to promotion favourites. Now more than
ever is the time when momentum, good or bad, can swell to feverish proportions
and as fans we must play our part in creating this buzz. McDermott is
undoubtedly the perfect man to engender this spirit within our players, shown
by Reading’s run of 8 wins to lift them from mid-table to Champions two years
ago. There are a plethora of ifs involved in such an ascent but, if Ross keeps
scoring, if the takeover is completed and if McDermott can keep his job then
positivity may break out and 18-20 points from the last 10 games could become a
realistic target.
That leaves the next 7 games. Between now and 22nd
March, we play Brighton (A), Middlesbrough (A), QPR (A), Bolton (H), Reading
(H), Burnley (A) and Millwall (H). Crucially, 5 of these 7 games are against
top 12 opposition, and any aspirations of a top 6 place rest on our success
against those around us. Our away form has been notoriously bad the last 2
seasons (perhaps the players struggle without a throng of Yorkshire noise
behind them) and so particular importance rests on the home fixture against
Reading, a team that currently rests in the coveted 6th spot.
Victory in this fixture, a point from each of the difficult top 12 clashes and
at least one win against Bolton and Millwall is absolutely essential. McDermott
knows Reading better than most others, and the mouth salivates at the dream of
the ‘Oh Brian McDermott’ chant in full swing as we run riot against the last
team to give Brian the boot.
Whatever the outcome of the next 7 games, we need to find a
consistency in performance that has been lacking thus far this season. There
have been times when our displays have matched those of Leicester, QPR or any
other team with genuine promotion hopes, but all too often we have buckled to
less formidable opponents. We are confident that consistency in the next 7
games will leave us in a position to challenge and who knows, the run-in could
be every bit as nail-biting as the takeover tension we’re consumed with at the
moment.
Do you think Leeds United can make the top 6? Which games do
you consider the ‘must-wins’ over the next 6 weeks? As always, we love to hear
your thoughts and comments – tweet us at @LUFC_Calypso.
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