Leeds United must roll dice and take handbrake off as…

Leeds United must roll dice and take handbrake off as do or die time approaches

Leeds United had high hopes of being able to avoid the stress, pressure and anxiety that comes for so many at this point of the Premier League season. After seeing off Nottingham Forest in comfortable fashion earlier this month, Leeds were flying high in confidence and optimistically looking towards survival.

Fans and pundits alike were studying the remaining fixtures, picking out where the remaining two or three wins United needed were coming from with the expectation that they would be able to continue making strides forward under Javi Gracia. The Whites followed up that Forest win by taking the lead against Crystal Palace at the point the live table showed Leeds were five points clear of the relegation zone.

Absolutely no one, then, could have predicted what would happen in the next three halves of football. Leeds bizarrely collapsed to a 5-1 defeat against the Eagles at Elland Road before shipping six in the very next game against Liverpool on Monday night to remain just two points clear of danger with seven games remaining.

The results of others have ensured Leeds haven’t been punished too much in the league table, but such defeats come with a psychological impact, and they couldn’t have come at a worst point of the campaign. The belief and hope that was prevalent just a fortnight ago has taken a nosedive and as the run-in gathers pace, it’s no exaggeration to say the Whites’ next few days could be considered do or die.

Leeds will be looking to send out a statement by bouncing back immediately at Craven Cottage against Fulham on Saturday afternoon, but they take on Leicester City at Elland Road next Tuesday before travelling down to Bournemouth the following weekend. Both Leicester and Bournemouth are involved in the battle at the bottom and the Foxes currently find themselves in the relegation zone, alongside Southampton and Nottingham Forest.

As such, with a grizzly looking May to come in which United face Manchester City, Newcastle United, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, it’s fair to say the next three represent Leeds’ best chances to get some more points on the board. They absolutely cannot afford to let them slip by.

Fulham have lost four of their last five Premier League games and have little to play for at this stage with Marco Silva’s side seemingly already assured of a midtable finish. Meanwhile, Leicester City haven’t tasted victory since February 11, having gone nine games without a result in the league and Bournemouth are still at risk of the drop, despite their recent form.

Leeds could and probably should be aiming for at least two wins and that would be enough to see them enter the final month with confidence in their own ability to beat the drop. Anything less than four points, though, and Gracia’s side would be in severe danger.

Such stakes simply have to come into the head coach’s thinking as he puts together his upcoming game plans and there can be no room for the meekness Leeds displayed against the Reds. Leeds set up to frustrate Liverpool, sitting off and allowing Jurgen Klopp’s side to play their game in front of them.

But, there was little to no resistance when the goals started flying in and in truth, the scoreline did not flatter the Merseysiders. Gracia must take the handbrake off and roll the dice somewhat for the next three games, that much is clear.

United have to make themselves the aggressors and play to their individual strengths by taking the game to their opponents. Of course, under Jesse Marsch that philosophy regularly failed to pay dividends but if it is carried out in a controlled and precise manner, as we saw against Forest, Leeds can get themselves over the line.

The remaining few days of April more than likely will define Leeds’ season and they simply have to get them right.

Leeds United must roll dice and take handbrake off as do or die time approaches

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