Leeds United Under-21s man predicts what is needed to beat Nottingham Forest to Premier League 2 title

The young Whites moved three points clear of second-placed Nottingham Forest with a 3-0 win over Derby County at the LNER Community Stadium on Monday night.

Christy boasted a clean sheet as Sam Greenwood, Joe Snowdon and Sonny Perkins found the net in North Yorkshire. With four games remaining, Christy revealed Leeds were targeting maximum points in the final quarter of their season as they seek a return to Division 1.

They are likely to be pushed all the way by a Nottingham Forest side who beat Leeds 1-0 on January 6 and have not lost a game since the turn of the year.

“We came into it thinking we have five games left in the season and we have got to win all five to win the league,” reflected Christy of the win over Derby.

“We came in knowing we needed three points and that is what we did. It wasn’t our best performance by a long shot, there are things we can work on and look back on.

“But the main thing is we got the three points, so that is the positive today. Paco’s main message was, although they are bottom of the league, we shouldn’t come into it light-hearted. Because if we come in complacent, thinking we are going to roll them over, that is where we will find difficulties.

“We came into it thinking it was going to be a tough game and it was. I had to do more than I thought and Derby posed a threat but we got the clean sheet and dealt with it well. That clean sheet was huge for everyone. Everyone put in a shift today and that is what led us to the clean sheet and the win.”

The likes of Mateo Joseph and Perkins have been in scintillating form in front of goal for the Under-21s this season, and Christy is confident if he can do his job at the back, then the forwards will more often than not provide the goals.

He added: “This season has been amazing, having Mateo, Sonny, Charlie Allen and Sean McGurk up front - you know you are going to get goals.

“If you keep a clean sheet, the likelihood is you are going to win the game. It is a blessing to have that attacking threat.”