At a positively unthinkable seventh place in the table, every match is "critical" for Leeds. With Gary McAllister now insisting in the media that he is the right man for the job, the heat has definitely been turned up. Possibly it is a question of what is "acceptable" with Leeds as his comments on the BBC that is goals were "two points per match" were somewhat alarming to me and well-under this clubs capability. Leeds is lucky that the top of the table is well-compacted as first place Leicester City is only six points above them but clearly, points can no longer be thrown away.
Leeds faces the match without the services of Jermaine Beckford, Andy Robinson and Malcolm Christie to injury and Fabian Delph is in the sin-bin. While it might be of some surprise, the loss of teen-phenom Fabian is what worries me the most as without him Leeds has a habit of playing slow, seemingly planning another year in League One and chatting about stories of the past.
With Fabian Delph out Jonny Howson will need to direct the attack and it would be highly advisable to bring the young Scot Robert Snodgrass into the starting grid using Enoch Showunmi and Tom Elliot with Luciano Becchio in a 4-4-2. Should Leeds feel inspired to take the match to Tranmere a 4-3-3 with Robert Snodgrass, Enoch Showunmi and Luciano Becchio forming a hearty striking trident would over-run the home side. That aside, the point needs to be made that Gary McAllister needs to attack as a club worthy of winning promotion and stop fretting of losing. Leeds talent base is enormous and I can assure you they will not be in the Championship if they are fearful of losing. It is time to attack with confidence and a ruthless tenacity.
I will report on the match as it concludes but until them we are Marching on Together