'I'm the only one who's got them anywhere near' - Ex Leeds United boss Kevin Blackwell on Whites' promotion bid

CLOSE CALL - Kevin Blackwell took Leeds United to a play-off final in 2006 but they were beaten 3-0 by Watford. Pic: Getty | Getty

Kevin Blackwell says Leeds United deserve to be a Premier League club but insists they must earn the right by playing the final nine Championship games.

Speaking to Sky Sports the former Whites boss, whose 2005/06 team were beaten 3-0 by Watford in the Championship play-off final, says late-season slumps will be in the back of the minds of men carrying the club's latest top-flight hopes and dreams."I think them and West Brom definitely are in the driving seat," he said.

"But with nine games to go there's a lot of points to play for. How will the lay-off affect teams when they come back? A team who wasn't doing so well prior to the lay-off might come back and have a great run, it's like a new season in many ways, it's a three-month lay-off.

"For Leeds to get back to the Premier League, there's no doubt I'm the only one who's got them anywhere near, the Premier League for Leeds is the Holy Grail they've been after now for the last 13, 14 years.

"No one has a right to be there but a club that deserves to be there it's Leeds. It's an unbelievable football club, set-up, supporters and everything, it's all geared for the Premier League but they have to earn the right. In the back of their minds they will know they've slipped over quite a few seasons in this last run-in. That's why these games have to be played, I don't think you can do it on a points per game [basis], it's alright looking at that going backwards but going forwards Leeds have never been a great finisher of a season."

READ: David Healy on Leeds United regrets and getting it wrong for the play-off finalBlackwell also believes it will be difficult for Leeds to match the intensity that comes with playing in front of 35,000 at Elland Road, as it will for their rivals.

"It's going to be quite eerie playing around a stadium that's empty," he said.

"It's quite hard to get up to the intensity. That could have a massive effect on anybody.

"I think one of the aces in the card is the supporters for Leeds and unfortunately that will now be missing, as it will for other clubs.

"How do you get the intensity of a game when the crowd isn't there? It's going to be very difficult."

Blackwell went on to manage Luton Town, Sheffield United and Bury.