Leeds United Fall - Is It Now Three From Nine?

Last night was a crucial and fascinating one for the Championship with several games likely to be hugely influential to Cardiff City`s lingering hope of making the play-offs. Much will depend on our own form, and the Bluebirds need to snap out of this sustained run of poor form immediately, however, rivals results will always remain important and last night was no different.

One result in particular caught the eye, initially for the goalfest at Ellend Road where visitors Nottingham Forest recorded an emphatic 7-3 win over Leeds United. Of further significance was that Forest have struggled near the foot of the table this season but this result sees them with some welcome breathing space over the relegation zone while the Whites were also of our play-off contenders.

However, after failing to pick up any points last night (in a game they had surely targeted to win), and the morale hit such a thumping is sure to evoke, Leeds United now look outsiders at best for a play-off spot - highlighting the fine margins at play in this division.

Leeds Utd now sit in 10th place with 54 points and having played 38 games. They failed to close the game on Hull City in ninth, who lost to leaders Southampton so that gap remains 4 points while Leeds sit 5 points and an adverse goal difference away from the play-offs with only 8 to play. Ourselves and Blackpool will hope to pick up points tonight and if so - Leeds could find themselves all but out of a nine horse promotion race.

Of course Leeds Utd are not out of it yet, but that leaky defence and the table standing suggests Neil Warnock`s men face a very tough ask and could quite conceivably be mathematically out of the race by the time they visit Cardiff City stadium on 21st April. The Bluebirds can only hope that we have bucked current form and remain in the hunt at that time. Four points ahead with a game in hand suggests we are far better placed than Leeds, but tonight`s clash with Coventry City is, of course, vitally important.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.