OPINION
If Leeds United are to make it through the play-offs, they will need to be at their very, very best.
Things were ticking along quite nicely for Marcelo Bielsa’s boys before a calamitous Easter weekend that saw them lose twice in quick succession, and a nailed on promotion party soon became something of a funeral procession as their hopes of a return to the top flight were dashed, for the time being at least.
They are, of course, still in the box seat when it comes to the play-offs, and most pundits seem to have the contest as a straight shootout between them and Aston Villa, but it will take a lot to rally a side that have not won in three ahead of the most crucial juncture in their season.
The talent is definitely there, and Bielsa has built a side capable of taking apart anybody on their day, but mentally, this will be a gargantuan task for United.
That’s why it is good to see some players thriving under the pressure.
Take Luke Ayling, for example.
In Sunday’s game against Villa – match that will go down in the annals of football league folklore for the sheer bizarreness of the visitors’ equaliser – the full-back was exemplary.
According to reliable stat source LUFC Data, the 27-year-old had a 91% pass accuracy rate, 82 touches, created three chances, and made eight crosses, amongst a flurry of other eye-catching numbers.
https://twitter.com/LUFCDATA/status/1123565821840769024?s=20
It doesn’t matter who you are, those are impressive stats, and it shows a player who is taking the mounting pressure of an impending play-off campaign in his stride.
If his teammates can follow his lead, United will coast to the Premier League.