Garry Monk discloses what he told Leeds squad following Burton defeat

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Leeds United’s Championship play-off hopes suffered a tremendous blow as they were beaten by Burton Albion.

Leeds United manager Garry Monk

Garry Monk has explained to BBC Radio Leeds that he told his Leeds squad following their defeat to Burton Albion that they have a duty to the fans to make sure they give themselves the slighest chance of qualifying for the play-offs going into the final day of the season.

The Whites went into their clash with the Brewers knowing, that despite sitting outside of the top six in the Championship, three wins out of three would see them extend their season due to the fact that fellow promotion chasers Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham meet on the final day.

However, despite applying some pressure at the Pirelli Stadium, Leeds suffered a 2-1 defeat to leave their play-off dreams virtually in tatters with Fulham three points clear and boasting a considerably stronger goal difference.

And after the defeat, Monk explained the message he gave the squad.

Leeds United’s Kyle Bartley and Luke Ayling (R) look dejected

“I just said to the players now we have a duty to each other and to our fans that, before the game we wanted to win the three games to make sure that we could put ourselves in the play-offs, now it’s out of our hands but we have a duty to each other and to our fans to make sure in these two games we push as hard as we can and see if it allows us to go into that last game with a chance of making the play-offs,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.

While Leeds have enjoyed a better season than many would have imagined, the fans will probably be disappointed to hear Monk’s comments as many would have felt that the play-off spot was virtually in the bag heading into the most recent international break, and thus, they already had a duty to finish the job.

The Whites were eight points clear of the chasing pack and had just beaten probable champions Brighton 2-0 at Elland Road, but a run of one win in six during April has seen them fall out of the play-offs and relying on a number of results to go their way to stand a chance.

One thing that is for sure, if Monk’s words have an impact and Leeds somehow manage to make it into the play-offs, they will undoubtedly be the team with the momentum given how unlikely a prospect securing a top six spot currently looks.