Lyke Ayling reveals the difference maker in Leeds promotion push
Leeds United right-back Luke Ayling believes the team are in a better position to challenge for promotion to the Premier League this season, because of the competition for places in the squad.
The Whites missed out on the Championship play-off places under Garry Monk last season, finishing seventh, five points behind sixth-placed Fulham after a disappointing run of results towards the end of the campaign.
Thomas Christiansen’s side are just one point outside of the top-six this season and appear to have turned a corner, after winning four of their last six Championship games.
Having experienced the highs and the lows of the last campaign, Ayling believes the squad are in a better position to challenge for promotion this term, because of the depth of squad.
“It became very hard towards the end of the season,” the 26-year-old told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“Players were playing in every game and our squad wasn’t really that big. It wasn’t like it is now or how it feels to me now.
“We’ve got 22 players here who all think they should be playing whereas last year you could probably name eight of the starting XI every week. And after that, there wasn’t the same competition.
“Now we’ve got real competition for places. There are players in every position who can step in no problem. That should keep us hungry and fresh for a long season and for the part of the season where you need to stay in there.”
Several key first-team players left Elland Road over the summer, including goal machine Chris Wood and experienced goalkeeper Robert Green, but Ayling believes the team have a stronger squad overall.
Ayling has been an ever-present for Leeds this season, playing all of their 22 Championship matches.
Leeds face Hull City in their next Championship match, knowing that a win would guarantee they spend Christmas day in the play-off places, with fifth-placed Aston Villa and sixth-placed Sheffield United in action against each other.
In other Leeds United news, have taken to social media to react to the new owners of Yorkshire rivals Barnsley.
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