Paul Heckingbottom offers honest verdict of Leeds’ play-off chances after Wolves defeat

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Leeds United were hammered 3-0 by Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday night.

Leeds United boss Paul Heckingbottom has told BBC Radio Leeds that his side have no chance of making the play-offs after Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Whites were looking to bounce back from Friday’s 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough with a win against league leaders Wolves, but ended up losing 3-0 again.

Romain Saiss headed Wolves in front having been left completely unmarked from a Barry Douglas corner, and Leeds couldn’t solve their set piece woes as Willy Boly rose highest to head home from another corner.

After the break, Leeds attempted to get back into the game, but were caught on the break as goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell attempted to beat Benik Afobe to the ball, but saw the Wolves striker lob him for 3-0.

Wolves continue their pursuit of the Championship title with another impressive win, but it was another defeat for Leeds, who have now lost seven of their last 12 Championship games.

New manager Paul Heckingbottom has won just once since his appointment as Leeds boss, and whilst he will be hoping to turn things around before the end of the season, a play-off push appears to be out of reach.

Leeds now sit nine points adrift of the play-offs with just ten games to play, meaning another mid-table finish is on the cards, which is particularly frustrating after making such a blistering start to the season.

After the final whistle, Heckingbottom was asked about the play-off hopes, and told BBC Radio Leeds that Leeds have come up short and won’t be in the play-offs after just one win in 2018, and believes the focus must now be on preparing Leeds for next season.

“I want that weight off the players’ shoulders,” said Heckingbottom. “We’ve come short. You’re kidding yourself if you think that this, at the minute, is what’s going to get us in the play-offs; it’s not. One win in 2018 is not good enough, the long-term goal is to start building the team towards being able to perform against the best in this league for next season,” He added.