Leeds Drinking In Last Chance Saloon In Middlesbrough

It could have been the perfect day. It should have been the perfect day. Watford and Crystal Palace had shared the points. Leicester lost at Peterborough, Hull lost at Brighton, Burnley at Bolton, Nottingham Forest at Bristol City, Millwall at Blackpool and Middlesbrough, incredibly, at home to Barnsley. And Leeds were winning with the game moving into injury time. Then disaster.

How a victory would have changed the table! Leeds would now be in eighth, just three points behind the faltering Miserableboro. Instead, despite having an England left back in the team, they couldn't hold on to a lead against the team sitting fourth from bottom and without a win now in five. That equaliser was more expensive than the Cardiff winner. Campbell's goal only cost Leeds a point, Batth's header shaved off two and kicked Leeds cruelly in the solar plexus just as they looked set to capitalise on the failings of others. So Leeds remain in eleventh, and desperate for a result at the Riverside. Win and Warnock's boys move on to the shoulder of Middlesboro; lose and the gap widens to an ominous eight points.

And more worrying still, Blackburn are emerging now as genuine candidates. If they win at Brighton and Leeds lose, they will open up a buffer; but then if Brighton emerge as victors in that one, they could be six points ahead of the Whites. That's the trouble with the situation Leeds find themselves in. They have to win and keep winning, and rely on results of others.

Warnock voiced his frustration after the game, and amazingly didn't blame the officials. Well he couldn't after Leeds were given a penalty and Peltier put one in his own net could he? Instead, poor old Neil blamed Old Father Time, moaning that he hasn't many days left in the game, unlike players like Kenny and Brown who apparently can play for many years yet.

Warnock complained: "The frustration for me is that we have just played Cardiff City and Wolves and we should have had six points and I have got one out of both games. I want to get into the play-offs and I am disappointed that we are not in the play-offs and games are running out. I want to go up. I think I am more frustrated than anybody. It is all right for the players; they are all young and they can play for years to come."

That sounded like Old Big Gob is close to resignation: not his position, but to missing out on promotion this year. One point from the last six following the closing of the window. Warnock told us to judge him after the window and if Leeds lose at Boro, the jury won't have to stay out for very long will they?

Leeds simply have to win at Middlesbrough. Boro look crap at the moment so that isn't as big an ask as the table suggests. It's time for Morison and Warnock Junior to deliver. Leeds can still do it. With any luck Dyer will start for the Smoggies as two games, two defeats suggest he remains a footballing Jonah!