Not bad! This was definitely the best we have played since we beat Palace away, and we scored a goal from open play as well, the first time we have done that since the Norwich game in March.


No matter that we conceded a late equalizer to finally extinguish hopes of automatic promotion, it was the performance that mattered.
Killa came in to replace the injured Sean Gregan, Fraser Richardson was also out injured and he was replaced by Eirik Bakke, Robbie Blake was the only player kept out by the mystery bug and Eddie Lewis was rested.

Thankfully most supporters got behind Kevin Blackwell from the start; I suspect that the tossers who have been sending hate mail are probably not LUFC fans and the support seemed to spur on the players who just about shaded the first half.


HT 0-0


The only thing missing was a goal but we did not have to wait long after the restart for that. The Whites moved the ball out to Derry who managed to get to the bye line and cross for Rob Hulse to finish from a couple of yards out. After the goal we should have gone further ahead but Reading managed to keep us out and towards the end of the game KB decided to rest a couple of players. We lost fluency and conceded the equalizer, a scruffy tap in by Stephen Hunt with 5 minutes to go.


FT 1-1


With this result came confirmation that the blunts were promoted, leaving us to concentrate on the play offs.

This is where the preparation for the play offs starts, after the blunts win yesterday we almost certainly have no chance of getting 2nd place. In fact half of me doesn't want us to beat Reading, as a win for us could mean the blunts clinch promotion against us on Tuesday - that would be too much to bear.

Whilst I do not believe that offering KB a 3 year contract was the right thing to do as I have always maintained that he is not good enough to manage LUFC, nobody should condone the threats being made against him by cowards purporting to be Leeds supporters.

They are twats, we need to be getting behind the team and manager for the play-offs not trying to de-rail the whole season now.


We could be without 6 players from last weeks pathetic effort against lowly Plymouth but that might not be a bad thing, Kelly, Crainey, Butler, Gregan, Richardson and Derry are all ill or injured; meaning Killa, Simon Walton, Bakke, Griffiths and unfortunately Dan Harding may get a game, Steve Stone may be ready for the play offs.


Reading are likely to play the same team that stuffed the Welsh last week as they attempt to win the championship with a record number of points.


I would like to think we could get a draw out of this one but I doubt it, a good performance and a goal would do me for now, then a win on Tuesday.


Prediction: Whites 1 v Reading 3


Come on Leeds!!!!!!

If we are to have any realistic chance of getting that second automatic promotion spot, then we have to beat Luton on Saturday, it is as simple as that. The Blunts have a relatively easy game at home to QPR so we will probably need to win just to avoid falling any further behind.
Watford have a tricky home game with Cardiff and from our point of view it would probably be better if Watford won that one, bearing in mind that Cardiff are currently in 7th spot and are one of only 3 teams who can now get amongst the current top 6 for a play off place. Wolves are another one but I think they will get nothing more than a draw at Hull, we can take care of the other one by beating Luton who are currently in 9th.

The other big games which may affect where we are likely to finish are Reading at home to Preston, a home win would do us here for 2 reasons
a) we do not want The Blunts getting extra incentives to kick and and try to catch them and

b) Preston need bringing down before we may have to play them in the play offs.
The other game sees Palace at home to Norwich, this has to be a draw which would suit us.

We win and keep the pressure on everybody else including Bunts, lose and it’s a play off place at best.


To place a bet on any of the games click HERE

After last nights drubbing for the South Yorkshire plodders can we still get automatic promotion?


I reckon we can.


The news today is that both Steve Stone and Killa are making quicker progress than expected and although Stone is a long way off he could now be back for the season run in while Killa could be back for Palace at the beginning of March. On top of that Frazer Richardson is back in training and we should finally get clearance this week for Joel Griffiths, so providing competition down the right hand side.


I think the current top six are now nailed on barring any total collapse, all are in good form and everybody below is too inconsistent, but any one of The Whites, Watford or Sheff U could still get that second automatic promotion spot (Reading are not catchable) even though we are still 11 points behind.
The next week could be crucial: We have Derby away at the weekend and then Watford next Tuesday at Elland Road, at the same time as we are playing Watford, Sheff U is at home to Reading. Before those matches, next Tuesday, Watford is at home to Coventry and Sheff U away at Plymouth. If we do our job by beating Derby & Watford and Plymouth can get a draw with Sheff U they will be on the slippery slope before they meet Reading.


It could come down to the last day of the season - Leeds away at Preston and the blunts at home to Palace!!!


Optimistic yes, out of the question – no.