The mood among Leeds United fans took a significant turn for the worst last weekend, as everything that could go wrong for the Whites, pretty much did. Jesse Marsch's side losing to Manchester City may not have been a huge shock, disappointing though it was, but wins for Burnley and Everton have changed the complexion of the relegation battle.
Leeds' Premier League future is now technically out of their hands, although a positive run of results in the remaining games would surely give them a fighting chance of staying in the Premier League. That the next two games are Arsenal at Emirates Stadium and Chelsea at Elland Road, underlines the task in hand.
However, final fixtures against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford could yet prove vital, and it must not be forgotten Marsch and co were unbeaten in five before City came to town.
READ MORE: Leeds United's points total, Phillips and Raphinha fate, transfer window lessons
Our Leeds United writer Beren Cross hosted his weekly Q&A with fans to answer all your questions on everything to do with the club, the survival fight and the future. Here's how the discussion went.
DNS13: As I see it we will be relegated on goal difference all three teams will finish on 40 points, our only saving grace is we get something from the Chelsea game.
BEREN CROSS: There is something very Leeds about potentially on finishing 40 points, but still being relegated. The average survival total needed across the past 10 years is 35 and yet one point from the last four does not feel anywhere near enough for the Whites. The goal difference is hugely troubling and the stark reality of being 19 strikes behind Burnley on Saturday night really hit home. I do have hopes 40 would be enough for Leeds. If they were to win their last two and lose the next two I would have hopes they'd stay up, but one point from Chelsea or Arsenal would be a touch more reassuring. In reality, we're all looking at Burnley and Everton's fixtures for comfort.
Colin Bamford: If we do survive this season do you think a lesson will be learned regarding recruiting players? The squad at present is too small and we have players that are not good enough for the Premier League...
BC: Absolutely. If they survive, the club will certainly look to avoid making the same mistakes. You can imagine 49ers Enterprises having a louder and louder say on the direction things are going. Their investment has not been made with a view to going down. They want to see the club thrive and establish itself in the top flight. Marsch will have a different perspective to Bielsa, which immediately changes the approach to squad size. Orta will learn lessons from who has been recruited and who has not proved to be good enough buys too, you would hope.
Scott12: What do you think of Cody Drameh's return? Do you still think he will be behind Ayling, Dallas and Shackleton for right back? Could he maybe be converted to a Left Back? Or should we cash in on him?
BC: Much depends on which league Leeds will be in. If they go down then Drameh suddenly becomes a very important part of the squad looking to come back up. If they survive, then Drameh remains someone they may loan out for another season. There's no doubt he's turned heads in Cardiff with his performances and he has to be a talent the club takes seriously. You'd probably stick him ahead of Shackleton in the pecking order, but Ayling's experience should see him retain the right-back berth.
MSC: I thought Dyche being sacked was going to clinch safety for us but not to be. Burnley and Everton have done what they needed to do and it looks bleak for us now. I am trying to be positive and focus on coming back up straight away. Obviously, KP and Raphinha leave, maybe Llorente and Meslier (hopefully Firpo) otherwise I’m not sure anybody is nailed on to go. The team that is left with Joffy and Summerville heavily involved and a couple of additions (midfield and LB) would tear up the championship in my opinion. Here’s hoping for another 19/20 type of season (minus the pandemic!).
BC: A lot to unpack in a short message, there. I agree on Dyche. I really thought that would be the death of Burnley and reflected as much in the pieces I wrote off the back of that decision. However, you haver to credit their players and the way they have overcome any kind of psychological barrier about surviving without their esteemed leader. At face value, it does not look pretty for Leeds, but obviously none of us, least of all the players, can be throwing in the towel at this point. As last night showed, strange things can happen in football.
If they were to go down then nobody can expect Phillips or Raphinha to stick around. Meslier would see some value in continuing to be a first-choice goalkeeper, but it's hard to imagine he would not get offers to play in the top flights of France, Spain or Germany. Firpo, Koch, Llorente and Rodrigo would be tough ones to call. I am assuming they will have clauses which drop their wages down in the event of relegation, but none of them signed up for second-tier football. There would be interest from the continent in all four. There aren't many others you would definitely see moving on.
JONAH 53: To say this season has been torturous from the word go is a massive understatement. I realise that the injury crisis has simply been devastating and the lack of signings in the Jan window ( be it lack of investment or Bielsa refusal ) has put us in this situation that has pretty much relegated us. But I am so worried now for the next season. We will lose millions in TV revenue, will be forced to sell players for peanuts, The likes of Kalv and Raph are already known to be on their toes if we don't survive. But you can add all the Internationals to that list too. I also can't see 49ers ploughing in more investment at this time either. Not sure if that will be enough to bounce back.
BC: Keep your chin up. The fat lady is not singing yet. If I am honest, when we came home from the Watford win I thought they were safe. I just couldn't see how the others would pick up enough points from their remaining games, with the form they were in, to trouble Leeds. And that was before Burnley had even lost at Norwich. Try not to fret too much about next season at this point. There are still four games to play with a lot of points to play across three different clubs. A lot can and will still change. Worry about 22/23 after full-time in Brentford.
It's impossible to predict how Leeds would fare if they went down until the summer transfer window closes and it's clear how that squad looks going into a 46-game season. There would be lost revenue, but the parachute payments would have to be used wisely to get the team back up as swiftly as possible. 49ers Enterprises would have to suck it up. They have not invested for an overnight project. They would have to back the commitment they have made to the club and see it through, you would think.
