Darren Bent shares new Leeds United promotion verdict. Credit: talkSPORT

Darren Bent shares Leeds United promotion verdict after loss v Blackburn Rovers

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

02 Dec 2024, 12:10 pm

Darren Bent believes Leeds United must claim promotion despite a "surprise" 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

A Todd Cantwell penalty was enough to condemn Daniel Farke's side to their third Championship defeat of the campaign on 30 November, seeing them fall to third in the league table.

Leeds had won three games on the bounce following their disappointing 1-0 loss to Millwall but Farke's men are back to square one after coming away from Ewood Park with nothing.

Speaking live via talkSPORT [2 November, 4:40pm], Goldstein said: "What about Leeds? They lost 1-0 away to Blackburn on Saturday and dropped to third. That's a surprise result.

Bent replied: "That's the thing about Leeds. On paper, looking at the squad, they have to go up. But they have lapses like this when they one to Blackburn. If you're Leeds, you're thinking, 'How have we lost this?'"

Can Daniel Farke secure promotion for Leeds United this season?

Promotion should be the only target on the minds of those at Elland Road this season, especially after the heartbreaking Championship play-off final at Wembley last term.

While many expected all three points against Blackburn on Saturday, the Whites are still in a great position right now, just three points behind league leaders Sheffield United.

The Championship title race has started to really open up in recent weeks, with the likes of Middlesbrough, Watford and West Brom stalling while Leeds have moved forward.

Daniel Farke is in his second season as Leeds United manager

However, with 28 games of the campaign still remaining, there are bound to be many twists and turns waiting to try and trip Leeds up. Farke will know exactly what is to be expected.

But after long-term injuries to both Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev, with Largie Ramazani joining them in the treatment room for a period of time, the team should be able to deal with any curveballs.

In other Leeds United news, Leeds fans could get the last laugh over Wayne Rooney as news emerges from Plymouth Argyle today.

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Leeds United

Darren Bent

Blackburn Rovers