Leeds United: Dan James drops ‘gutting’ Championship verdict in fresh promotion admission
Dan James has spoken about the potential alternative conclusions of the current Championship campaign, mooting a “gutting” feeling if Leeds United were to miss out on automatic promotion.
Leeds are battling with Leicester City and Ipswich Town for automatic promotion to the Premier League, with one of the three sides set to be condemned to the playoffs at the end of the season.
While the Whites currently sit atop of the Championship table, the Foxes have a game in hand after facing Chelsea in the FA Cup before the international break, with the Tractor Boys also showing no signs of slowing down.
Speaking via My Mate’s A Footballer podcast on Thursday (28 March), James said: “It would be gutting to miss out on the top two. Hopefully, we don’t have to go through that, but we would have to get on with it and get ready for play-offs.
“The teams that finish fifth and sixth go into those games buzzing, but we would feel a bit gutted.”
Can Leeds United avoid getting caught up in the Championship playoffs?
The possibility of fighting through the playoffs this season will certainly be a worry for many of the fans at Elland Road, having been relegated from the Premier League last season.
Financial issues could certainly haunt the Whites if they were unable to achieve promotion back to the top tier of English football, especially with a significant number of players set to return from loan spells.
However, if Leeds’ campaign up to this point is anything to go by, Leicester and Ipswich should be concerned about having to fight for second place.
Daniel Farke has done an immaculate job since arriving at Elland Road in the summer, remaining unbeaten at home in the league after 19 matches, as well as reaching the FA Cup fifth round.
James has also been in brilliant form this season but could require a few weeks to settle back into club life after suffering Euro 2024 heartbreak with Wales during the international break, missing an all-important penalty against Poland.
Like any team fighting for promotion, Farke will need to depend on his whole squad, with just eight matches of the campaign remaining.
In other Leeds United news, a talkSPORT pundit has reacted to footage of Dan James.
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