Leeds United: Prutton - Blades clash provides ideal chance for new-look Whites to prove a point

SKY SPORTS pundit David Prutton believes Saturday's Yorkshire derby at Sheffield United presents the ideal chance for Leeds United's players to quickly get "on side" with new head coach Paul Heckingbottom.
WE'LL MEET AGAIN: Leeds United's Matthew Pennington and Sheffield United's Leon Clarke lock horns in October's clash at Elland Road.WE'LL MEET AGAIN: Leeds United's Matthew Pennington and Sheffield United's Leon Clarke lock horns in October's clash at Elland Road.
WE'LL MEET AGAIN: Leeds United's Matthew Pennington and Sheffield United's Leon Clarke lock horns in October's clash at Elland Road.

Leeds are approaching new head coach Heckingbottom's first game in charge having lost five of their last seven games, with a Championship return of two points out of a last possible 18.

That run has left the tenth-placed Whites seven points off the play-offs with United parting company with former head coach Thomas Christiansen in the aftermath of last weekend's 4-1 loss at home to Cardiff City.

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But former Whites midfielder Prutton believes a "fantastic" spectacle at Bramall Lane offers the perfect platform for United's players to prove they have the qualities to re-ignite their side's promotion bid in Heckingbottom's first game in charge.

The appointment of Heckingbottom means a battle of Yorkshireman in the dug out and the Blades themselves are looking to arrest a slump in form with back to back losses having left them eighth - two points above Leeds but still five points adrift of the play-offs.

Prutton told the YEP: "You've got two Yorkshiremen now in Chris Wilder against Paul Heckingbottom and the ingredients for the game are fantastic. There's a real spice to it.

"The run that Sheffield United had seems to have slowed down a bit though they have recently came up against a Wolves them who are just superb, let's be honest.

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"Before that they played Aston Villa and they did well in the first half but Villa came back into it after the break and Robert Snodgrass' winner was a worthy winner of the game.

"It's going to be tough for Leeds, no doubt, and you would think that Chris would use that to his advantage at Bramall Lane which is tight and there's no doubt they will go after Leeds.

"But the Leeds United playing staff are now in a position where the manager will know the majority of players have got to prove themselves.

"They have got show that they have got the fight and the desire and the want and the will to do as much as possible for Leeds this season and for the new manager.

"This is the perfect opportunity for them all to get on side quite quickly."