The fight with the Football League started long before Gary arrived at Elland Road, but even if he felt the full injustice of the situation, I'm sure his attitude would be identical – ignore the off-field battles and get on with the job in hand.

There is nothing he can do about next week's arbitration hearing.

A similar principle applies to the players and their task is to reach the play-offs, nothing more.

If they do the maths they will work out that automatic promotion would be firmly within their grasp if the 15 points are returned, but they are best to act as if the points are gone for good.

As far as I can tell, the players seem to have put arbitration to the back of their minds – which is where it should be.

But while Gary and his squad concentrate on the job in hand, the city and the supporters will see next week's tribunal as a crucial matter and one that may shape the season.

This campaign has been played the hard way so far and there is a part of me that thinks a victory at Wembley in the play-off final would be the most fitting way to secure promotion.

But the play-offs are a world of uncertainty. Over the years we've seen so many upsets and so many strange results in these end-of-season matches.

Leeds are clearly good enough to beat any club they come up against in the play-off semi-finals or the final, but the final, in particular, is a one-off occasion when anything can happen.

If you offered me the 15 points back and the chance of automatic promotion again, I'd snatch it in a second.

The aim for United this season is to get promotion and to get out of this league, by hook or by crook.

The reason that a top-two finish is so valuable is precisely because it prevents a very good campaign from being ruined at the death.

As far as "doing things the hard way" goes, I believe Leeds have done that.

The players at Elland Road have amassed 79 points, which is an outstanding total and the return of the Football League's deduction would lift us up to second place – on goal difference and on merit.

Carlisle occupy that position at present and their ambition of reaching the Championship adds an element of fascination to tomorrow's game against John Ward's side at Elland Road.

If the tribunal rules against Leeds, they are out of Gary's reach regardless of this weekend's result.

But if United beat Carlisle and win the arbitration hearing, the lead over the Cumbrians would be three points with a game in hand.

That situation may not materialise, but it is a wonderful prospect and one that is possible.

Carlisle, of course, inflicted our first league defeat of the season and the 3-1 loss at Brunton Park in November was probably the start of our slide around Christmas.

But they'll encounter a different Leeds United tomorrow.

That is not to under-estimate Ward's players, who are in second place on account of their excellent home form.