Fatal 4-way!

Amidst the minor disappointment of Tuesday night and our unfortunate exit from the JPT, it is easy to forget that we actually won the game! Not only that but the come-back performance of the last half-hour or so was reminiscent of the confident and fearless displays that our travelling fans have become accustomed to under Simon Grayson's tenure. (The midfield partnership debate is best left for another day)

Unfortunately, Tuesday's victory was our first success on the road since the heroics at Old Trafford. Since that day the lads have served up 2 dismal displays at Exeter and Swindon and a showing at Hartlepool, that was patchy at best. The mild heartbreak of the penalty shoot-out might have subdued any celebrations but hopefully this indicates a return to 'form' for Leeds United with what is possibly the most crucial 10 days of the season upon us.

Tomorrow's predictably difficult trip to Orient is followed quickly by three successive home games against opposition, in Walsall, Brighton and Oldham that even the most optimistic gambler would struggle to back at Elland Road. Regardless of what rival teams manage in their games its imperative that Leeds collect at least 9 points over these four games, anything less and the league table may begin to look a little more harrowing come the game at the Galpharm 4 days later.

If another play-off nightmare is to be avoided we must capitalise on these games and put any sort of gap between ourselves and 3rd place hopefully creating a springboard to see us through to the end of the season and promotion!

In fear of getting ahead of ourselves its worth noting that all these teams now see us as 'beatable'. Examples set by lowly Exeter and Swindon have taken away the 'fear' factor from matches against The Mighty Whites. Couple that with the fact that the opposition all have a decent record against us... Orient came within 2 minutes of sharing the spoils at Elland Road in November, only a last-gasp Max Gradel strike separated the teams. Oldham have won both their trips to Elland Road since we dropped from The Championship, Walsall were set to inflict our first defeat of the season back in August before a quick-fire double gave Leeds all three points with the 90 minute mark looming and Brighton can match anybody on their day.

So this is where the run-in starts, an already difficult month of March and Easter period will be compounded should we fail to force home our advantage over the next 2 weeks. Anything less than 9 points could be fatal!

Fatal 4-way!