Leeds United

Ten stone of barbed wire was how Leeds United's greatest player Billy Bremner was once described. He was as fierce as he was talented. His winning mentality and never-say-die attitude are embodied for eternity in an iconic cast of him celebrating on the corner of Elland Road.

Billy's statue, as it is known, is a place of homage for supporters who want their most successful captain's 'side before self, every time' mantra to forever be reflected by all Leeds United teams.

Those who who gather around Bremner Square hope to witness this from the current crop of players, who - like Bremner when he first arrived at the club - are now looking to gain promotion to the top flight.

Bremner, who died at the age of 54 in 1997, has a legacy and an influence way beyond his early passing.

Some 772 appearances and 115 goals, many of them crucial ones, included winning every major domestic English honour, as well as European trophies. He is indelibly linked with the success of the most glorious period in the club's history.

Now, in his hometown of Raploch in Stirling, there are moves to raise £100,000 to have a new sculpture to encapsulate Bremner's spirit and inspire another community.

He won 54 caps for Scotland and Alexander Gibb of the Scottish Football Supporters' Association says it is time to commemorate him.

"He doesn't get as much recognition up here as he does in Leeds, especially as it's exactly 50 years since he captained Scotland to the World Cup in Germany," Gibb said.

"It's a brilliant opportunity to celebrate an amazing footballer and one of Scotland's best ever.

"He's seen as an inspiration to the people of Stirling. They've seen a local lad like him come through the ranks and make it to the very, very top of football."

The team at Don't Go To Bed Just Yet believe Monday's 4-3 win at Middlesbrough showed how powerful Leeds United's attack is and how boss Daniel Farke has done a great job this season.

BBC Radio Leeds sports editor Jonny Buchan said: "I thought it was going to be a continuation of the past few games. I had a sinking feeling when the first goal went in. Before the game, it was all about lack of goals as they dried up at the wrong time. That all went to the wayside. If Leeds go up it will be one of the most memorable games of the season. Daniel Farke has done an incredible job as he is the first manager in Leeds history to get to 90 points in his first season in charge."

BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope added: "The difference between Leeds and Leicester City is that Leeds have the star quality in front of goal. Under the cosh and away from home, Crysencio Summerville still produced - and that's why I think Leeds will go up."

And Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix said: "We over-performed on our xG but when we go toe to toe with teams we do beat them as we do have star quality. Our whole team stepped up and no-one had a poor game. If we lose any games from now, we are done so I could understand why there's so much pressure on the players but the goals gave them a bit more freedom."

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For much of this season, Leeds United have employed possession-based tactics, but after Middlesbrough won the arm wrestle for the ball in a crazy first half at the Riverside Stadium on Monday, Daniel Farke's tactics changed.

“We said at half-time we don't want to be in a basketball game the whole match," striker Patrick Bamford said after the game.

"So it's like taking control - without the ball... and then we know we're one of the best counter-attacking teams in the league. Win any way possible."

Without a victory in three matches, United had been accused of being predictable and of having trouble breaking teams down that sit back against them.

But on Monday, the Peacocks showed a different way to win, and their efficiency improved as well - 62% of their shots were on target, up from an average of 17% over the previous two games.

It was substance over style and perhaps a glimpse at how Farke might set this team up in the Premier League – and after Monday's performance they can dream of promotion again.

It was a perfectly timed, resounding return to form as Leeds proved they can adapt to win.

Adonis Storr can be found at The Roaring Peacock, external

Leeds manager Daniel Farke reacts to Monday's 4-3 win over Middlesbrough: "First of all a good advertisement for Championship football, I think all the supporters have enjoyed the game.

"(It was) a great piece of football from two good sides who really went for it to win this game. To start the game with this unlucky goal, deflected pass that normally wouldn't have been a chance, they scored out of this.

"Middlesbrough played today with freedom because it was more or less their last highlight, they could go for it and had a really good shape, then they are 1-0 up after just a few moments.

"To show such a reaction in the first half to come back to create so many chances, to score fantastic goals, was great for us to have.

"Compliments to Middlesbrough, they showed a fantastic performance, but great mentality from our players to lead 3-2 at half-time.

"We needed to show some steel and resilience in the last minutes to dig in and grind out this important result for us and we did.

"Many compliments for the heart, the mentality and the character of our players today and for their offensive quality."

Leeds United are likely to accept offers close to £30m for winger Wilfried Gnonto, who is attracting interest from Premier League clubs. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

I said last Friday that there would be many a twist and turn to come, and the top three have all dropped points again.

With second place Leicester having lost at Plymouth, Leeds had the chance to leapfrog them with a win over Blackburn – and instead succumbed to their first home defeat of the season. I’ve grown up mostly through play-off heartache and mid-table mediocrity, so with Leeds-tinted glasses on it comes as second nature to deem us falling apart again, but in truth it seems as though nobody wants to go up – Ipswich also dropping points at home to Middlesbrough later that day.

In what was seemingly a three-horse race for automatic promotion, Southampton have gone full Randy Orton – back in the mix out of nowhere. I think it sets a precedent for simply not trying to predict the outcome, because come D-Day things could be so tight that just two points separate first and fourth.

Due to Coventry’s FA Cup semi-final and Sky Sports moving Leeds’ clash with QPR to a Friday night, we now play twice before Ipswich next kick a ball. Should we win both games then, due to goal difference, Ipswich would need to match that to be above us come D-Day.

I thought Leicester had won the league. I thought Ipswich would fade away. I thought Southampton were out of the picture. Two weeks to go and it’s all to play for, anything could happen.

Lewis Deighton can be found at LUFC Lewis, external

Leeds United will have to wait for two of their promotion rivals to play first before they kick off their Championship fixture at Middlesbrough on Monday at 20:00 BST.

On Saturday, second-placed Leicester City host West Bromwich Albion, who are fifth and Southampton go to mid-table Coventry City. Both those sides have a game in hand on the Whites.

Current leaders Ipswich Town do not play this weekend so a point for the Foxes would take them top, while victory for the Saints would see them draw level on points with Leeds.

Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before the trip to the Riverside Stadium.

Here are the key lines:

• Connor Roberts has a muscle problem and will miss the nest two games while Jamie Shackleton will return to team training and may be fit to face Middlesbrough.

• Goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson is not injured after his car crash earlier this week and Farke added: "I don't like to comment too much on players' private lives. But I was a bit shocked and concerned and I was really happy to hear he was okay. We had a short chat [and] he explained what happened. I have no reason to doubt his words."

• Coach Christopher John is expected to miss either the match at the Riverside or the trip to QPR after the red card he received during the defeat to Blackburn Rovers

• On how much the promotion race is now about pressure: "We're heading into the crunch time period. To stay cool is obviously an important thing. But also the quality of players, a bit of luck and to be focused on what you can influence."

• However, he is not feeling pressure from the boardroom to achieve promotion: "Just backing and trust from the owners. We are in a privileged position and we want to use it. We are having a top-class season with a remarkable points tally. We [have been] by far the best team in the second half of the season. We are more or less leading this league. The lads are playing a fantastic season."

• Middlesbrough may be unable to reach the play-offs by the time of the fixture but Farke does not expect that to impact how the game is played: "No, because they are unbeaten with many good wins and good performances in recent weeks. I expect them to be highly motivated and not expect them to feel pressure, with nothing to lose now.

• Therefore, he anticipates a difficult task on Teesside: "[It will be a] tough game for us, but this is what we have faced in 46 game days. We know we have to be at our best."

• He agrees that the success of German clubs in European competitions this seasons shows football is not always about having a massively wealthy owner but instead investing in youth.

• He added: "Our last line-up: [Illan] Meslier, experienced but young. [Joe] Rodon and [Ethan] Ampadu - our rivals are more experienced. [Ilia] Gruev and [Archie] Gray - our rivals have more experience. Our attackers, [Crysencio] Summerville, 21, [Willy] Gnonto 20, [Georginio] Rutter 22 and [Joel] Piroe 24 - our rivals have more experience. I don't want to buy success - I want to build for success. I don't want to be in the Premier League for one year spending money and then being out of it for 10 years. We want to be there for a long, long time."

The Championship title and promotion race is incredible.

Leicester were 12 points away at one point and looked like they were going to set all kinds of records. Southampton started off slowly before going on an unbelievable run, dropped off again, and now they are back in with an unbelievable shout because of the performances and the results of the top three.

Ipswich have been relentless to get to where they are and Leeds are now just having a hiccup. From their point of view, what was hard for them at the beginning was all the uncertainty around players and their loan deals and clauses that were written in on relegation. They had a slow start but then they have been incredible since.

There are some amazing games coming up for all those in the title and promotion race and it will be wonderful to watch.

But at the moment it feels like no one wants to win it with the points that are being dropped and you have to say it is the pressure. The pressure is ultimately playing into the race.

If you were to ask me who is going to win the title and who is going to get promoted – I could not call it. You cannot call it because of the results the teams have had and the games they have coming up.

When Leeds were facing a struggling Blackburn at home you would think it was the perfect game for them - and then they lost. Leicester went to Millwall and you thought that would be a game where they could go and get three points and then they didn't.

With the drama still to come in matches they have to play against each other too, it is fascinating.

At the Masters on Sunday, world number one Scottie Scheffler emerged from a four-way tie for the lead with six birdies in a 10-hole stretch around the turn to secure his second Green Jacket.

After dropping two shots within four holes, he still won the tournament by four shots and said: "I did my best to stay calm out there."

Scheffler trusted in himself and his deep faith to make it over the line: "I believe that today's plans were already laid out many years ago, and I could do nothing to mess up those plans." He believed in himself and delivered when it mattered most.

Former Leeds United manager Howard Wilkinson successfully asked his players to do likewise telling them to " trust your swing" on the run-in to becoming champions of England in 1992.

They, like Scheffler at Augusta, stumbled with a 4-0 defeat at Manchester City with six to go before seeing off bitter rivals Manchester United to the title with a game to spare.

It is no coincidence why champions prevail. Since the turn of 2022 Scheffler has won nine times and gained an enormous 575 strokes against the field. He has been 100 shots better than Rory McIlroy, the second-best player in that period. That relentless performance is built on carrying on doing what you have been doing, trusting in your training so that practice becomes permanent.

So now is not the time for Leeds United to panic and make radical changes. By sticking to his game plan, Daniel Farke has all but eradicated Leicester City's 17-point lead and given the club a far clearer shot at promotion than the fallout from last summer's relegation had suggested.

We are four years on from Leeds romping to the Championship title and into the Premier League by 10 points under Marcelo Bielsa. After the resumption of football during the pandemic, United began with a defeat at Cardiff City behind closed doors but were unstoppable come the final reckoning.

Time again to trust your swing - this time in front of the galleries.

This year's battle for automatic promotion to the Premier League looks set to go right to the wire, with last season's relegated sides Leicester, Leeds and Southampton trying to bounce straight back. However, Kieran McKenna's Ipswich are currently top of a four-way fight.

BBC Sport has examined the run-in and Opta's predictions for the final league table.

At the turn of the year Enzo Maresca's Leicester looked certain to bounce straight back up to the Premier League, topping the Championship table with a 13-point gap over third-place Southampton.

But after the Saints' win over Preston on Tuesday, four teams are involved with just a handful of games to go.

According to Opta, the Foxes have a 62% chance of winning the title and 84% of sealing promotion. Ipswich have a 62% chance of securing back-to-back promotions, according to Opta.

Southampton are predicted to get 89 points, with two of their final four games away at Leicester and Leeds.

Read the full lowdown on the Championship promotion battle

It is now three long, goalless hours at Elland Road for Leeds United.

Two games when the Whites dominated the ball and had 31 shots - and dropped five points. At a time when United could least afford it, their attacking output has dried up.

Poor set-pieces, zero goals from central midfield and the lack of a consistent striker have created an over-reliance on Championship player of the season Crysencio Summerville, Georgino Rutter and Dan James.

Those hugely important missing elements might ultimately cost the Peacocks.

Since their last direct goal from a corner – a header from Pascal Struijk against Ipswich Town on 23 December - Leeds have taken 131 corner kicks.

Excluding penalties, Leeds have eight set-piece goals in the Championship this season. Only Plymouth Argyle and Blackburn Rovers – both with five – have fewer.

United have only had one specialist set-piece coach in their history - Gianni Vio - but that may change this summer.

Form deserts everyone occasionally, but that is when you need a goal from anywhere. With the league this tight, a set-piece goal could literally mean promotion for Leeds.

With a training week ahead, Leeds must find a way to score from them.

Adonis Storr can be found at The Roaring Peacock, external

The end of the Championship season is fast approaching, with just three points separating the top three and fourth-placed Southampton six points behind with games in hand.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix believes Leicester City still have "a few wins left in the tank" as they push for promotion to the Premier League.

"Leeds are third favourites now. Ipswich are not completely collapsing - they're doing the best of the teams and they've got a big break now. They'll be able to see what they need to do. It could be high pressure but it could be a couple of points. They might just need one win and be done.

"Leicester, in theory, could have a four-point lead on Leeds so we're needing them to lose two of their last four games. They've been losing but will it continue? I'm sure they've got a few wins left in the tank.

"It's really interesting as things get settled. Obviously Blackburn beating us makes them safe. We need Huddersfield to still need something on the last day of the season [against Ipswich]."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Aaron Paul, ex-Reading midfielder Jobi McAnuff and Wycombe defender Joe Jacobson discuss the Championship promotion race and much more from the English Football League on the latest episode of the BBC's Football Daily 72+ podcast.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

With under a month remaining of what is now a three-horse race for automatic promotion from the Championship, the days of frantically checking on scores elsewhere and trying to predict the final table are upon me.

Leeds are not in the driver's seat as things stand, but with one point between first and third, it is just a big game of musical chairs.

As if one win in four games for Leeds since returning from the international break was not painful enough, Stuart Dallas - who has been out injured for just under two years - broke hearts on Wednesday when he announced his retirement from professional football.

Following his thanks to players and staff alike, he bowed out with: "Don't give it up now boys, you've got four games left to go." It not only epitomizes everything Dallas is about, but echoes every supporter.

Leeds, Leicester and Ipswich managed just two points between them earlier this week, scoring no goals. It follows a rocky run of form for all three sides post-break and sets up many a twist and turn in the closing weeks.

Let's do it for Dallas.

Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Leeds United's Championship game against Blackburn on Saturday (12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from the Whites manager:

• On Ipswich Town and Leicester City also "dropping points" earlier this week: "My attitude is not that you drop points, it is that you can't win points. Obviously, we would have preferred to have made a big step with three points, but you always have to be respectful. If you can't win a game, then you have to make sure there is a second best result, where you win one point."

• Farke is "not sure" whether he will watch Leicester City in action against Plymouth on Friday night because Leeds have already played against the two teams twice, so therefore he does not feel it is "necessary to analyse them a bit more".

• It is "difficult to predict" what to expect from Blackburn: "In this league, you cannot compare anything. I am pretty respectful of their quality in the offence. If you are not switched on against them, they can hurt each and every opponent because they have so many players who can make things happen."

• He believes Blackburn "probably need a few points" to completely be out of relegation danger and he expects "a highly motivated team who want to show a reaction at a ground where they have nothing to lose".

• Farke praised Rovers' top goalscorer Sammie Szmodics: "A player in record form. He has scored so many goals during this season and also a handful of assists. They are very dangerous. They have shown, just a couple of weeks ago, what they are capable of doing. They were able to score five goals against Sunderland and cut them into pieces."

• There were no further injuries picked up midweek and "everyone is in good shape". It was "important" for Ethan Ampadu to "recover a little bit" and for Willy Gnonto and Connor Roberts "to prepare after their muscle injuries".

• Farke said the younger players have not yet realised what they have achieved this season: "When they are in it, they don't think much about it. You need the energy and enthusiasm just to enjoy the road and not think too much about what we can achieve, or how we can write our names in the history books of the club - because otherwise you are too nervous, over-motivated and over-excited.

• On having confidence going into the final stretch, Farke added: "I like the fact that we are playing, in terms of points, the best season in the history of this club. We have got the best home record in the history of this club this season. We are by far the best team in the second half of this season. We have the best home record and defensive record of all the teams."