Another Play-Off defeat for Leeds United

The playoffs are just an exciting lottery. Three years ago Leeds were in the play-off finals to go back to the premiership. They lost 3-0 to Watford. The following season they were demoted to League One; placed in receivership and deducted 15 points. In spite of this handicap they made it to the League One play-offs last year. But again no luck and no promotion. This year we are back to that old consolation "there's always next year".

Joy and Sorrow at Millenium Stadium Cardiff

What a week-end. On Saturday we had the long awaited Munster victory in theHeiniken Cup Final played out in the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff. On Sunday in the same Stadium, Leeds played Watford in the play-off final for the last place in the premiership. After all my patience - they lost - not only did they lose but they were played off the pitch. Watford won 3-0. I don't think Watford will last more than a season in the premiership, maybe that's sour grapes - but call it a prediction. So Leeds have to start all over again next year. This year will have done them some good - the lesson is: don't wait for the play-offs you have to come first or second - last year we got within 4 points of Sheffield - but let them get away. The play-offs are a lottery. Its 2 cup matches and a great spectacle. The fans get a great day out - but its a sustained league performance and Premiership football that we need, not a day out in Millemium Stadium (or Wembley - if it is ever completed)

Promotion in Sight Again

After a disappointing 1-1 draw at Elland Road on Friday, Leeds beat Preston 0-2 away from home to get into the play-off final. The opposition will probably be Watford who are 3-0 after the first leg against Crystal Palace. Watford play Palace at home to-night.

Leeds and the Promotion Play-offs

After losing 2-0 away to Preston in the final match of the championship, Leeds now have to play Preston twice this week-end to get into the play-off final. To-morrow night Leeds are at home in Elland Road and on Monday they are away. Preston have been in the play-offs seven times now and have never made it - lets hope it stays that way! Full Championship Table.

Well its the play-offs - get over it.

With 6 draws and 2 defeats in the last eight matches - Leeds have to be content with the play-offs. A draw with Reading on Saturday and a draw away to Sheffield last night were good results. However it is now 2 cup matches to settle the promotion battle. The four teams to play out for one premiership place are already settled: Watford, Palace and Preston join Leeds. -However who plays who, is far from settled - any team is capable of finishing in 3rd through 6th place. Leeds have to play one of the possible opponents, Preston in the last match of the season. Preston were in the play-offs last season, while Palace were in the premiership last season - so there are no easy opponents. Full Championship Table.

Reality Strikes

Leeds 0-1 Crystal Palace A game in hand isn't worth three points when you don't win. Jobi McAnuff scored the only goal of the game to boost Crystal Palace's play-off hopes and dent Leeds' automatic promotion chances. Plus with Watford beating Southampton last night its beginning to look harder for Leeds.

Leed now 4 points behind with a game in hand

After the 1-1 draw with Coventry yesterday, Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell said: "Anyone who watched the game cannot say that we deserved at least a point. Coventry defended stoutly and their keeper made several good saves, but credit to the lads as they kept going. At one point we were 17 points off automatic promotion but now it is only four." 10 days ago, Blackwell has signed a 3 year deal to manage Leeds - so getting to the premiership this year will set him up. His old club Sheffield United (where he was assistant manager before joining Leeds) continued their terrible run yesterday with a 2-1 defeat at Norwich. Since beating Wednesday 4 weeks ago in the Sheffield derby, United have not won a game. Their best result was a home draw against bottom of the table Crewe. On Tuesday next we find out what a game in hand is worth when Leeds play Crystal Palace at home. 3 points from this game will Leeds just one point away from automatic promotion to the premiership. Leeds beat Palace 2-1 away from home just 2 weeks ago so this has to be a great chance to make the game in hand count.

Leeds Inch Closer

Leeds has a lucky escape yesterday with a last minute equaliser at home to Norwich making it a 2-2 draw. A draw should have been a set-back in the promotion stakes - however Watford were playing Reading at home and while Watford achieved a credible draw they have not gained any ground based on Leeds. Much more importantly, Coventry continued a 12 match unbeaten at home run by beating Sheffield 2-0. So we inch closer - now just five points behind with a game in hand. Click here for latest table. The remaining matches. Sheffield and Leeds swap opponents and go away from home next week. That means Leeds face Coventry in Coventry next week. So what about this Coventry unbeaten run at home.
Micky Adams, the Coventry manager had this to say after beating Sheffield: "Sheffield United can rest assured we'll try to do them a favour by doing everything we can to beat Leeds." Coventry are in 9th place and still have an outside chance of making the play-offs.
So we continue to hope but it's a big 10 days ahead. On Tuesday the 21st March Leeds play their game in hand, its at home to Crystal Palace - an important one to win. Although we beat them 2-1 away from home last week, they will not be easy to beat.

Now just 6 points with a game in hand.

Good day - a difficult fixture won - an easy fixture drawn. Leeds move closer to that guaranteed promotion spot. Latest Championship League Table Sheffield could only draw at home to bottom of the table Crewe. Leeds won 2-1 away to Crystal Palace - Palace are currently 5th, also in the play-off zone. I would have been happy with a draw there. The run in is still very challenging for Leeds. Next week looks ok, with Leeds at home to Norwich (10th); Sheffield away to Coventry (12th) while Watford should fall further behind away to Reading. Currently, my realistic prediction sees Leeds finishing 7 points behind Sheffield. That's because Sheffield have just 2 difficult games left and they are both at home. Leeds have 4 difficult games left including away at Sheffield. Leeds can continue to improve their chances over the next few weeks. A home win at Crystal Palace on the 21st March is the next big target. However their fate will be seal in the 15th and 18th of April with Reading at Elland Road and Sheffield at Bramall Lane. We continue to hope.

A patient Leeds United fan

It's been a good 2 weeks for patient Leeds United fans. We have had a good run in the Championship this year - steadily improving to a point where we have been in third place for sometime now and a place in the play-offs for promotion to the Premiership, looks pretty certain. But a place in the first 2, with automatic promotion to the Premiership looked too much to hope for, until recently. Reading are running away with the Championship and because Sheffield United had such a strong start before Reading caught them, Sheffield looked certain to finish second and to get a guaranteed promotion. Leeds were 14 points behind, albeit with a game in hand - but that was just too much to pull back, or so it seemed. Latest Table However, in the last two weeks Sheffield has dropped points and Leeds have picked them up. Yesterday Sheffield lost while Leeds won. So now we are 8 points behind with a game in hand - its looking like a close run thing. Watford are also giving it a good run - but Leeds look like they have a chance to get back into the premier flight, where they belong. But what are the remaining matches? Leeds probably has the toughest run-in, playing 5 out of 11 remaining matches against teams in the top six; 3 of these away from home. Sheffield have a much easier run-in with only 2 matches against the top 6 teams and both of those at home. Critical for Leeds will be the match away to Sheffield on the 18th April. Watford also have an easier run-in than Leeds, with only 2 matches against the top six teams although they are both away, and one is to Reading. Leeds also have an away game to Reading. So now is a time to hope; it's a time of possibilities and patience for all long suffering Leeds fans.