Richard Keys reacts immediately as Leeds United miss out on automatic promotion to Premier League
Richard Keys and Andy Gray have reacted immediately after Leeds United missed out on automatic promotion to the Premier League after defeat on the final day.
The Whites had to beat Southampton and hope Ipswich slipped up against Huddersfield to go up automatically and avoid the playoffs, but they were beaten 2-1 by the Saints at Elland Road meaning Ipswich’s 2-0 win didn’t matter.
And reacting live on BeIN Sports via X (4 May), Keys and Gray admitted they feel the two sides from Saturday’s game are the favourites in their eyes to meet again at Wembley in the final.
“Leeds, beaten at home today by Southampton, will go into the playoffs with the Saints. They finished third and fourth respectively,” Keys said, while Gray nodded in agreement.
“They are favourites, I would think, to meet in the playoff final. Perhaps today an indicator of what may happen in that game were it to materialise.”
Leeds United can’t look past Norwich City
It’s been a horrible end to the season for fans at Elland Road, but the situation is done and they now simply must move on and start fresh.
Automatic promotion was in the club’s hands but some poor performances and form saw them throw it away, but unlike in most situations they now will have another chance to put it right for the fans and themselves.
But they have to get past a two-legged tie with Norwich before they can think about Wembley, and while Leeds and Southampton will be confident of their chances there is absolutely nothing guaranteed.
Farke has already beaten his former side both home and away this season so they know what they need to do, but with performances like the last six weeks it won’t be enough.
Keys and Gray are jumping the gun slightly on this one and the players cannot afford to follow them down that path, and the fans shouldn’t let them.
In other Leeds news, a 3/10 stinker from one star in the player ratings from the defeat to Southampton.
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