Scott Minto is convinced “excellent” Leeds United will finish in the Championship top three but expressed his fears if they are forced into the end-of-season play-offs.
The Sky Sports host questioned whether Marcelo Bielsa’s side would have the mental strength to cope with the drama of the play-offs if they fail to finish in the two automatic promotion spots.
Minto was speaking on his personal Twitter account on Wednesday night after Norwich City jumped back to the Championship summit to push Leeds back into second place.
“I do feel that was a big result for them (Norwich), ahead of the Leeds-Sheffield United game, where one or two teams will drop points. Important then to go and win at Rotherham as well,” Minto said.
“The top three are showing they are the three best, most consistent sides in the division and they are up there for a reason. It’s going to be a real shame for the one that drops out.
“Leeds and Norwich, although they’re probably the two favourites to make the top two, they’re the two I’d worry for, not so much Sheffield United, if they do drop into the play-offs. Sheffield United could perhaps deal with it mentally.”
Another excellent victory for #ncfc live on @SkyFootball. Could easily have been 7-2, boy do Norwich love conceding goals. Elsewhere. Great wins for #Millwall, #RUFC & #AVFC. The top three look excellent now, but who's your money on for automatic now? #lufc #sufc @EFL pic.twitter.com/lgMDCi8Gam
— Scott Minto (@iamscottminto) March 13, 2019
OPINION
Minto does not expand on why he thinks Leeds are less equipped to deal with the play-offs than Sheffield United, their opponents on Saturday in a mouthwatering Elland Road showdown. Could the players be burned out following a marathon campaign of Bielsa-ball which makes huge demands of their energy, with another possible three matches taking them into an area their bodies may not be able to cope with? Or, could the blow of missing out on a top-two spot after making the automatic promotion running all season just be too much? Both are plausible theories, and only time will tell if they stack up. Certainly, with the champagne football they are playing, and have indeed been producing all season, it would be a seismic blow for Leeds and their enormous fanbase if their 46-match campaign does not end with a return to the Premier League after 15 years in the lower divisions.