Peter Beagrie delivers verdict on Leeds promotion chances, shares what is a major hurdle

Wed 8 February 2017 6:27, UK

By Alex Stevens

Peter Beagrie is convinced Leeds are well place to clinch a play-off spot but does not believe they will gain automatic promotion.

The Yorkshire giants trail second-placed Brighton by seven points in the Championship table following their weekend defeat to bitter rivals Huddersfield.

Beagrie believes the combination of the gap and the calibre of the top two teams mean Newcastle and Brighton are the two favourites to automatically go up to the top flight.

The Sky Sports pundit pointed out that one major hurdle for Leeds to overcome is a fixture list which hands them a number of Yorkshire derbies.

Garry Monk’s side came unstuck against Huddersfield on Sunday, which came weeks after they lost 3-2 at Barnsley.

Among those two defeats, Leeds have won the other five of their last seven league fixtures.

“It was a disappointing result for Leeds at Huddersfield and they’ve got another Yorkshire derby coming up at the end of the month,” said Beagrie, as quoted by the Sky Sports website.

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“I made the point at a live game a few weeks back that, looking down the list of fixtures coming up for the Leeds, the two derbies against Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday would be pivotal.

“The Yorkshire teams are doing so well and derbies can be counterproductive.”

Beagrie is convinced that supporters will not worry one jot about the managerial altercation between Monk and David Warner at the John Smiths Stadium which sparked a late brawl between both sets of players and coaching staffs.

“I can understand it from both sides,” the pundit added to Sky Sports. “Wagner’s got to try and keep a lid on it but it’s hard to do against your arch-rivals, especially at that late stage in the game.

“I can also understand Monk standing out there and standing up for his team. He felt a sense of injustice and made his feelings known and if I’m a fan of either one of those sides I’m looking at the reaction of both managers, whether they are right or wrong, and thinking it shows a passion for the football club.

“It gives both teams and their sets of supporters something to cling onto as we reach the business end of the season.”

Leeds are fifth in the table as they aim to narrow the gap on the top four on Saturday, when they welcome Cardiff to Elland Road.

In other Leeds news, a Championship midfielder has been given permission to join Leeds after permission was granted by his club.

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