Leeds United’s play-off hopes in the Championship were virtually ended following their draw with Norwich City at Elland Road.
Leeds manager Gary Monk applauds the fans after the game
Garry Monk has explained to BBC Leeds that he told his Leeds squad following their draw with Norwich that it is much easier to show a reaction when 3-0 down, but they need to show that fight from the start in the future, and suggested that they are just not ready for promotion this season.
Despite spending much of the campaign in the top six, the Whites’ play-off hopes are all but over as a 3-3 draw with the Canaries left them three points behind Fulham – who occupy sixth spot – with one game to go, but with a significantly inferior goal difference.
Leeds supporters would have been forgiven for thinking that their play-off dream was over long before the final whistle on Saturday as Norwich took a 3-0 lead before half-time.
However, the Whites set up what became an agonising finish, scoring three times before the final 10 minutes to give the fans some hope. But it was not to be, and while Monk did not want to criticise his squad too heavily, he suggested after the game that it should not have taken the situation to get so bleak for the side to show some real fight.
“What’s been clear from it is there have been so many positives – this team have given so much and given this club so much to be proud of – but this situation, the play offs, has probably come too soon,” he told BBC Leeds.
“It’s not a criticism – I just think it’s clear in this period that we’re not quite ready yet. The point of this period is to build those foundations and give them an even better platform going forward.
“I love these players. I think they’re great. I’ve worked with them and they’ve given me everything. I wasn’t thinking the best thoughts in the world at 3-0 down, but I said to them, “It’s easy to react at 3-0 down and give your best – but you’ll face this situation again and the plan is to do that from the start.”
Leeds United’s Kyle Bartley and Luke Ayling (R) look dejected
While Leeds have been impressive for most of the season, their recent form has backed up Monk’s claim that they are not ready to go up, having previously been in a situation where booking a play-off spot should have been something of a formality.
And while they have shown a reaction in the last two games, those reactions have come too late in both fixtures to keep their promotion hopes alive, leaving the squad to reflect upon what might have been this term.
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