Connor Humm

Fri 12 April 2024 7:00, UK

Leeds United could face a troubling “mentality shift” if they fail to earn automatic promotion from the Championship.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Rangers and Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton feared that the Whites could become disheartened with a play-off spot considering their “hard work” this season.

Daniel Farke’s side have failed to win their last two league games – their 2-1 defeat to Coventry City on Saturday (6 April) and their 0-0 draw against Sunderland on Tuesday night (9 April).

While fellow automatic-chasing Leicester City and Ipswich Town have also dropped unexpected points in recent weeks, Leeds have struggled to break down their opposition and supporters have grown fearful of having to earn promotion the hard way – the play-offs.

Leeds United in ‘difficult’ situation after two-game winless run

While Hutton believes that the Whites still have what it takes to finish in the top two, he warned that a third-place finish could dent the squad’s psyche and impact a potential play-off run.

“You would hope that they can still get second,” he told Football Insider.

“You’d genuinely hope they can because I always fear for the team that ends up third.

“They’d have been pushing so hard for automatics and at times they’ve been top of the league and second.

“If they just miss out on first or second, your mentality can change.

“They’ll be thinking that all their hard work has been for nothing.

“It’s all very difficult – I’ve been there myself.

“I’ve won one play-off final and lost another – it’s a really hard place to be.

“I still believe that Leeds can get automatic promotion with the fixtures they have left.

“They definitely have the squad to do it, but the focus and the mentality has to be there.”

In other news, Leeds United line up talks with two star players – sources.

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