Leeds United are a side who sit precariously poised on both the brink of entry, and exit, from the Championship play-off race with two games left.
A win for Fulham at home to Brentford on Saturday and it is all over for Leeds United. But, should Fulham lose at Craven Cottage and Leeds gain at least a draw in their final home game versus Norwich will extend Leeds’ play-off hopes into the final game of the season.
Another thing that has been finely balanced has been the talk surrounding United’s talisman defender Pontus Jansson. Media reports have drifted through that sides such as Premier League club Southampton are interested in taking the 6ft 5in Swedish international away from the Whites.
The troubling aspect here was that Leeds and Torino had agreed a permanent deal for Jansson to join the Whites – his season loan essentially converting to a permanent three-year deal come the opening of the summer transfer window on July 1.
During today’s Leeds United press conference, Pontus Jansson was more than brutally honest in his assessment of his position at Elland Road, and even more so with his appraisal of the play-off situation that Leeds United face.
Pontus Jansson: "To be honest, if we don't reach the play-offs I won't see this season as successful. My goal is to reach the play-offs."
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) April 27, 2017
Jansson: "I don't sit here and talk shit. I believe we will get in the play-offs and the other teams will shake a bit." #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) April 27, 2017
The following tweet from Phil Hay, quoting Jansson, will give Leeds United fans a sense of hope, although there are still fans on social media refusing to accept that it is so.
Jansson made clear though that he expects to be here next season. "My future is in Leeds. I have a contract which starts in July." #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) April 27, 2017
Leeds United face Norwich at home in a ‘must-win’ situation, the three points being the Whites’ best chance of extending their remarkable run this season that saw them climb from third bottom and into the play-offs, before a 1-0 defeat against Wolves dropped them from the top six.
Three points here, combined with a potential slip-up from nearest rivals Fulham could make Leeds’ last game, away at Wigan – who could very well be relegated by then – even more relevant seeing as Fulham take on fellow prlay-off rivals Sheffield Wednesday in their last game.
