Leeds travel to Brighton on Friday in a battle of two of the Championship’s high-flyers.
Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper David Stockdale has suggested that he hopes that Leeds United miss out on the play-off places in the Championship this season, but only because he wants the Whites to take the second automatic promotion spot with the Seagulls winning the title, the Argus reports.
The two clubs meet on Friday at the Amex Stadium in one of the most important games of the weekend. If Brighton win, they will go to the top of the table, while Leeds could move up to third and within four points of the top two with a victory.
Brighton’s David Stockdale
And Leeds-born Stockdale has explained that while he hopes that it is his side that are taking the spoils when they meet, he wants both clubs to be playing at the highest level next season.
“I hope they do well, apart from in the two games against us, and then they can finish one place behind us in second!” he said, as reported by the Argus.
One of the main reasons for the Whites’ success this season is surely Garry Monk. The former Swansea boss has recovered from a slow start at Elland Road and now taken the side to the highest point they have been for several years.
And the 31-year-old has disclosed the prediction he made to the Leeds supporters in his life when the retired defender was appointed in the summer.
“I really like Garry Monk. I was impressed by his teams at Swansea and with the way he conducts himself,” he added.
“When he was appointed I said to friends and family that I felt he could take Leeds to the next level. I didn’t think he’d have such a quick impact, or that they’d be this high at this stage, but he’s done his job and kept going.”
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
While Stockdale hopes that Brighton do ultimately move up one spot and go on to take the title, Leeds fans will surely not care at all if they do finish second and miss out on silverware.
The ultimate prize is getting back to the Premier League. And having seemed so far away from that goal as recently as September this year, the Elland Road faithful will surely not mind one bit how it is that they get themselves across the line.
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