David Prutton makes huge claim about Leeds
By Matt Farr
Former midfielder David Prutton believes that Leeds have what it takes to catch Newcastle in the Championship promotion race and even win the division title.
Leeds are currently fourth in the Championship, just five points behind second-placed Newcastle, who have the benefit of Premier League parachute payments and a squad revamp last summer that included a number of £10million-plus signings.
But Prutton has cast his eye over Garry Monk’s side and not only said that promotion is possible but made the huge claim that they can win the league.
Leeds have been in terrific form of late, having lost just two of their last 10 league games, earning a valuable eight-point cushion between themselves and seventh-placed Sheffield Wednesday – who are just outside the play-offs.
However, Leeds have faced tough competition from their rivals in the top-six this season, with promotion rivals Reading, Huddersfield and Derby boasting similar records in the league.
Huddersfield, for example, have only been defeated once in their last 10 league games, a record that Leeds will be hoping to end when the two sides go head-to-head on Sunday.
Title-favourites Newcastle, on the other hand, have won just three of their last six games, and Prutton believes that Leeds can capitalise on their recent slip-up against Queens Park Rangers to reduce the gap at the top of the table.
In his column for the Yorkshire Evening Post, the former Leeds midfielder said: “The top two aren’t untouchable from Leeds’ point of view.
“They wouldn’t say so publicly because footballers never do, but Leeds United’s squad will have looked at Newcastle dropping points to QPR and thought ‘nice’.
“As for Newcastle, who at the moment are the team for Leeds and others to shoot at, it seemed strange for Rafa Benitez to be complaining about their transfer business in January.
“The fact that Benitez was looking at Andros Townsend tells you that he doesn’t think Newcastle are home and dry. We’re talking about five points between them and Leeds now. It’s absolutely not unattainable.”
Chris Hughton’s Brighton currently top the table with 60 points, just a one-point lead over Newcastle following their own slip-up against Huddersfield on Thursday.
Leeds have not appeared in the Premier League since the 2003-04 season, while they have not lifted a league title since their First Division triumph of 1991-92. However, they look firmly on course to break one of those droughts this season.
In other Leeds news, this free-agent could steer Leeds to the Championship title this season.
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