Leeds United look to be in with a fantastic chance of securing a spot in the Championship play-off places.
John Carver
Former Leeds United coach John Carver has suggested that the Whites’ consistency is what separates Garry Monk’s men from the rest of their play-off rivals, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports.
Carver was on the backroom team when Leeds reached the Championship play-off final in 2006 and subsequently failed to turn up as Watford strolled to a 3-0 win in Cardiff.
Monk’s men have certainly enjoyed the most successful second tier season since that side 11 years ago with the Whites sitting fifth in the table with five games of the regular season to go.
And Carver has suggested that the likes of Huddersfield, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday, and perhaps Fulham – who are certainly not out of the running for a top six spot – are lacking a quality that Leeds have shown this term, which may give them an advantage.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
“When I look at this Leeds squad, I see younger players and maybe fresher players. There’s a bit of experience, and experience in the right areas, but they’re full of energy and that’s vital in the play-offs. You always need match-winners, the quality players who’ll decide the games, but it takes a massive effort to see it through,” he said, as reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“I’ve watched a lot of the season and quite a few of the teams around Leeds look a bit hit-and-miss. Leeds, to me, are the one: always at the same sort of level and very difficult to beat.”
Leeds United players celebrate
That lack of consistency was perhaps best exemplified by Reading’s recent results. The Royals were fantastic against Leeds at the start of the month and were unlucky to only win 1-0, and yet, following their subsequent win over Blackburn, they were beaten 7-1 by Norwich.
And Carver seems to suggest that the lack of those kind of results from Leeds’ season – their heaviest defeat came back on the opening day – probably makes them the most reliable team to back should they reach the play-offs.
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