Eddie Gray has claimed that Leeds United now face a “big ask” if they are to reach the play-offs this season following their draw against Bristol City.
The Whites were held to a 2-2 draw by the Robins at the weekend, but they did manage to fight back from being two goals down at half-time.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side are now eight points off the play-off positions and look a shadow of the team that were top earlier in the campaign.
The Yorkshire giants have 14 points to make up the ground to the top six if they are to try fulfil their aim of promotion back to the Premier League.
Leeds are now without a win in their last eight consecutive league games and will need to go on a brilliant run from now until the end of the season, starting with Derby away in midweek.
Gray believes that the play-offs will now be very difficult to reach and insists that they must win all home fixtures if they are to have a chance.
“If you’re going to be in the top six, you’ve got to be winning your home games,” Gray told LUTV.
“That’s something that Paul will be trying to emphasise to his players. We cannot afford to drop any more points at home – if we’re going to be in top six.
“A big ask, but while it is still possible, you keep going.”
OPINION
Leeds appear to have blown their promotion chances this season and may have to start fresh under Heckingbottom in the summer. However, there is still a glimmer of hope and they welcome back key trio Liam Cooper, Gaetano Berardi and Samuel Saiz from suspension against Derby. The six-game absence of Saiz in particular has been mammoth for the Whites and they have looked a far less threatening side without him. He does have the individual ability to drag his side on a winning run, but it will take something special to close the eight-point gap in the remainder of the season.