Michal Pujdak believes Leeds United Under-21s are ‘back where they belong’ after securing promotion to Premier League 2 Division 1 on Monday night. The young Whites cruised to victory in their play-off final against Nottingham Forest at Elland Road, winning 3-0 in front of crowd of 12,632 and that was enough to reclaim their spot in the top flight at the first time of asking.
Club record signing Georginio Rutter was the man that put United ahead as he made the most of a dominant start to score his first goal in the white of Leeds, poking skipper Mateo Joseph’s cross home. Jeremiah Mullen doubled the lead with a goal of the season contender, finding the bottom corner of the net with an audacious volley from a relatively tight angle.
Kris Moore wrapped it up for Leeds with a powerful header in the second half, ensuring the U21s brought a fitting end to what has been a memorable season in West Yorkshire.
Read more: Leeds United U21s player ratings as Rutter, Joseph and Mullen stand out in play-off final win
“It's a really good feeling,” Pujdak, the U21s assistant head coach said after watching his players lift the play-off final trophy. “We want to be playing with the best teams week in, week out.
“So for us to be back where we belong with the quality of the academy programme that we have in place, I think it's really important that we go back to Division 1 and give that experience to the players where they can compete with the best.
“I think tonight is just a product of the whole season. The players have been putting a lot of effort into it every day. So to see them have a lot of joy with the ball, defending so hard, pressing high, is just really pleasing.”
He added: “I think it's a relief partially and also we were very confident that we could get promoted this season. We have a very strong group of players.
“The club invests a lot of money into bringing young players into the club and our job is to help them prepare for the first team duties. So to have those players compete together and achieve the promotion for the club, I think it's very important and also rewarding.”
Over the course of the season, Leeds have seen a host of players make names for themselves with their consistent performances throughout the Premier League 2 Division 2 campaign. Joseph managed to bag 17 goals in all competitions and he will be jetting off alongside Darko Gyabi later this month to represent England at the U20 World Cup.
Sonny Perkins marked his first term in West Yorkshire with 12 goals, while Archie Gray, Charlie Allen, Moore and Mullen have been amongst those to stand out and catch the eye in the U21s side this season.
“Yes, for sure,” Pujdak said when asked whether some of his players are almost ready to make the step up to the senior squad. “They're getting ready every week with every game, with every experience like tonight, they’re building and it's about one or two per cent gains every week for me. So when they ready, I'm sure the manager will call upon them.
“It feels great. But ultimately the biggest reward is to see the lads being happy and see them progress. When one or two make it into the squad so they can contribute in the first team in the Premier League, that's ultimately the biggest achievement and the biggest reward.”
