Leeds United moved four points clear of the bottom three with a first win in eight against Norwich City on Sunday.
The Whites left it late as Joe Gelhardt netted a 94 th minute winner just moments after Kenny McLean had cancelled out Rodrigo Moreno’s first half opener.
Leeds had been on a six-match losing run prior to their clash with the Canaries and were edging ever closer towards a place in the relegation zone.
However, the three points at the weekend appeared to be a huge weight off everyone’s shoulders – none more so than Jesse Marsch as it was his first win as the club’s new boss.
It was also the case for each and every player in the squad, too, which was reflected in the fact every single player on the bench sprinted over towards Gelhardt to join in the celebrations.
Several members of the squad will recognise that not only are they playing for their Premier League futures, but perhaps even their Leeds one too.
The core of the side has remained very similar for the last four years now and so a revamp is, perhaps, not too far away, regardless of the division Leeds find themselves in next season.
So with that in mind, here is a look at four players fighting for their futures at the club.
Rodrigo Moreno
At £27 million, Rodrigo remains Leeds’ record signing but the overall view among supporters seems to be that he has not quite justified that fee.
His performance in the 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Thursday was so below par that he was hooked at half time, but he certainly produced a response against Norwich.
Not only did he open the scoring, but he was also very good in and out of possession, with the latter having often been a struggle for him at Leeds.
With two years left on his contract and the Spaniard now on the other side of 30, a good end to the season could be the difference between Leeds deciding to cut their losses or keeping him for at least another year.
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Luke Ayling
Luke Ayling has been one of the stalwarts of the last four seasons at Leeds, with him being a shoo-in starter whenever he is available.
This season, though, Ayling has not quite been able to replicate the consistency in his performances that he produced last term.
The 30-year-old is one of the most progressive passers of the ball across the whole division, however his distribution has not quite been as successful as last season.
There is no doubt that Ayling is one of the biggest leaders in the dressing room, but he will also need to prove in these final matches he is still at the required level.
Mateusz Klich
Similarly to Ayling, Mateusz Klich has also been somewhat of a guaranteed starter at Leeds in the last four seasons.
Klich’s form since promotion to the Premier League has been up and down in both of the last two seasons, but Leeds do miss him in games he does not play.
Another who is also on the wrong side of 30, Klich has the element of creativity that most of Leeds’ other midfielders do not possess.
However, his goal and assist numbers have dropped significantly this season, and so in the final nine games he will need to prove he still has what it takes, particularly when midfield is a position Leeds are almost guaranteed to strengthen this summer.
