'Four points over Easter may see Leeds' rivals crack'
- Published
"Don't under-estimate the point, it's a good point for us" was manager Daniel Farke's verdict on the 1-1 draw at Luton Town less than a fortnight ago which then saw Leeds United drop out of the Championship's automatic promotion spots with six games to play.
Judgement by a section of supporters was far harsher with some wanting him replaced.
Two wins and 12 days later, during which third-placed Sheffield United have failed to register a point from three matches, the uber-composed Farke has been proved correct.
It leaves leaders Leeds, and Burnley, with a five point cushion over the Blades, ahead of the Whites first league visit to Oxford United since promotion to the top flight in March 1990.
Back then Dave Bassett's Sheffield United trailed Howard Wilkinson's league leaders by two points but had a couple of games in hand.
Should Chris Wilder's side beat Cardiff City at Bramall Lane before Leeds kick-off on Good Friday night (20:00 BST)) they will also have closed the gap to their big Yorkshire rivals to a pair of points.
Thirty five years ago there were a dozen games remaining for Leeds to put right any slip ups at the old Manor Ground.
Trailing 2-0 at one stage it looked like the advantage was swinging the way of South Yorkshire until a three-goal salvo inside a handful of minutes turned it back Leeds' way.
A fourth followed and even a late penalty miss which saw Lee Chapman spurn the chance of a hat-trick and incur the wrath of his manager as he was not the designated taker, could not prevent Leeds picking up three crucial points.
At the Kassam Stadium on Friday, welcome as the win would be for Farke, regardless of results prior to kick-off, a draw would still keep Leeds in the box seat for promotion ahead of Sheffield United, whose goal difference is vastly inferior.
Fans will not want to hear about "a good point on the road" but with a home fixture to come on Monday against struggling Stoke City, before their main rivals clash at Turf Moor, then four points over Easter could be enough to see more than chocolate eggs cracking under the pressure.
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