Leeds United: Whites' outlook not that gloomy insists ex-United midfielder, David Prutton

FORMER Whites midfielder David Prutton believes Leeds United can be optimistic about beating both Bristol City and Derby County in the space of four days, declaring: 'Both teams are fallible.'
Leeds United head coach Paul Heckingbottom with Victor Orta. PIC: Jonathan GawthorpeLeeds United head coach Paul Heckingbottom with Victor Orta. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Leeds United head coach Paul Heckingbottom with Victor Orta. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe

United are in the thick of a testing run of games against the Championship’s highflying sides, and Sunday’s clash at Elland Road against sixth-placed Bristol City is followed by a trip to third-placed Derby County three days later.

Leeds are in desperate need of a decent return with the Whites now 11th and eight points adrift of the play-off places after picking up just two points from a last possible 21.

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But former Whites ace and Sky Sports pundit Prutton believes victories in United’s next two games are ‘doable’ with the ex-midfielder highlighting the fact that City were held to a 3-3 draw at home to second-bottom Sunderland last weekend with Derby beaten 2-0 on Tuesday evening at 15th-placed Sheffield Wednesday.

Thomas ChristiansenThomas Christiansen
Thomas Christiansen

Prutton also believes the appointment of new head coach Paul Heckingbottom will have given Leeds fresh belief with the 40-year-old former Barnsley boss brought in to replace Thomas Christiansen.

“Both games are huge,” admitted Prutton.

“But Leeds will have seen the Bristol City result against Sunderland and also the Derby result at Sheffield Wednesday and see that both are fallible.

“You would never have thought that Sheffield Wednesday would have beaten Derby and you would never have thought that Sunderland would have got a point at Ashton Gate.

Samuel Saiz - still suspended for Leeds United's home game against Bristol City on Sunday - scored twice for the Whites in the 3-0 win at Ashton Gate in October. PIC: Jonathan GawthorpeSamuel Saiz - still suspended for Leeds United's home game against Bristol City on Sunday - scored twice for the Whites in the 3-0 win at Ashton Gate in October. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Samuel Saiz - still suspended for Leeds United's home game against Bristol City on Sunday - scored twice for the Whites in the 3-0 win at Ashton Gate in October. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe
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“It goes to show that these are doable and they have got to get some belief under Paul.

“I think if it was with Thomas, you would have been fearing for him whereas with Paul at the helm you have got to think they will be going on the pitch with a little bit more optimism and clarity perhaps.”