Middlesbrough man sends ominous warning to Leeds United as Wayne Rooney 'fighting' for Plymouth Argyle future

Leeds United gave up their league-leader status over the weekend after losing 1-0 at Blackburn Rovers. Todd Cantwell’s first-half penalty proved the winner at Ewood Park, with Daniel Farke’s side falling out of the automatic promotion places after both Sheffield United and Burnley picked up wins.

With a full week to rest and prepare, Leeds will be expected to come out with a response at home to Derby County on Saturday. Things are tight at the top and Farke’s men could easily climb back into the top-two, so long as they do their job. With all that in mind, and as focus quickly turns to Saturday’s game, the YEP has rounded up some of the latest stories surrounding the club.

Boro warning

Middlesbrough striker Tommy Conway has backed his side to ‘cause an upset’ in the coming weeks, with two massive games against Burnley and Leeds on the horizon. Boro have been electric at their best this season - not least their 3-0 defeat of Leeds in the Carabao Cup - and look set to challenge for promotion.

Consistency has been the issue for Michael Carrick’s side and a 1-0 defeat at Blackburn halted their progress last week. But a convincing 3-1 win at home to Hull City was the weekend response they needed and Conway, who scored twice, has sent a warning to their next two opponents.

“Yes, 100 per cent,” Conway told Middlesbrough TV when asked if his side’s win over Hull will give them confidence going into two massive games. “I think after our blip in the week, other than that, we have been top, so we can go to Burnley and Leeds and really cause an upset. I have no doubt that with the group in there, we can do that.”

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Rooney future

Wayne Rooney is under increasing pressure at Plymouth Argyle with reports suggesting he has two games to save his job after another dismal weekend. The Telegraph claim Rooney is ‘fighting for his future’ ahead of ‘potentially pivotal’ meetings with Oxford United and Swansea City.

Plymouth suffered two heavy defeats in five days last week, losing 6-1 at Norwich City midweek before a 4-0 thumping at the hands of Bristol City on Saturday. The Pilgrims have won just one of their last nine and sit 21st in the Championship on 17 points - one place and two points above the relegation zone.

The report adds that while a change of manager is not expected imminently, pressure is increasing on the former Manchester United striker ahead of two fixtures in which results are needed. Plymouth and Rooney have already been well beaten by Leeds this season, leaving Elland Road with a 3-0 defeat and not even a shot on goal to show for their efforts.