Alan Pardew brings Leeds United fans back to earth with promotion verdict
Alan Pardew has warned Leeds United that they face “tough competition” in the race to achieve promotion back to the Premier League.
The Whites will end 2024 at the summit of the Championship following their 1-0 victory against Derby County on Sunday (29 December) with promotion in sight.
Brenden Aaronson played a starring role for the Whites and will continue to do so as Leeds chase a Premier League return, which Pardew has issued a warning for when speaking on talkSPORT (29 December, 7:45 pm).
“Well, all I would say about that is, obviously, there’s some tough competition there,” explained Pardew.
“Sheffield United and Burnley, both Premiership squads, Sunderland are pushing. So that’s going to look like a four-horse race to me, to the finish line. Two will go into the play-offs and two will go up.
“But Leeds, I don’t know, I’ve just got a feeling for them. You know, just a feeling that they’re going to do it this year. I hope they do.”
Leeds United will be well aware of Championship competition
While Leeds will be aware of the challenges they will face in retaining their spot at the top of the Championship, they simply have to focus on their own results and worry less about those around them.
Ultimately, if Leeds do their job, it makes no difference what the teams around them do as simple as that sounds, although it will be harder to execute than it is to say.
So far, the Whites have had an excellent campaign stained by the occasional blip, but if they can maintain a consistent level of performance, a Premier League return will certainly be on the cards and their 1-0 victory against Derby was perhaps one of the more important ones of the season.
Daniel Farke’s side were certainly not at their best but they picked up three points and that is a sign of a top Championship team.
The ability to win games even when you’re not playing at your best is absolutely paramount if you are to finish inside the top two, and Leeds have every chance to achieve that this season.
In other Leeds United news, Adam Pope has shared whether the Whites will sign one Premier League star.
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