Leeds United will stick to principles despite being on the verge of incredible Thorp Arch achievement

The Whites have stormed clear at the top of the Premier League 2 Division 2 standings this season.
Leeds United Under-23s head coach Mark Jackson. Pic: LUFCLeeds United Under-23s head coach Mark Jackson. Pic: LUFC
Leeds United Under-23s head coach Mark Jackson. Pic: LUFC

Mark Jackson says Leeds United s Under-23s will stick to their principles after moving to within one win of promotion.

The Whites are currently 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League 2 Division 2 standings with three games of the campaign to play.

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Stoke City - who sit second in the table - have two games in hand on the Whites and must win at Crystal Palace on April 12 to keep the title race alive.

If the Potters fail to do so, United will be crowned champions before they next kick a ball four days afterwards at Aston Villa on April 16.

Jackson is currently taking charge of his first campaign as development head coach having been promoted from the Under-18s outfit last summer following the departure of Carlos Corberan to Huddersfield Town.

United have attacked their first term of category one academy football in stunning fashion, having won 12 of their last 13 games in the league.

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Academy starlet Joe Gelhardt has led the charge at the front for the Whites this term - scoring 11 goals in 15 matches - while Marcelo Bielsa has also utilised the games to boost fitness for several members of his first team squad.

Promotion to the top division of Premier League 2 would pit Leeds against the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal among others next season.

Jackson, though, insists his squad will keep calm and carry despite edging closer to an impressive feat at Thorp Arch.

"It's been a good journey and we're still on it," Jackson reflected after this week's victory over West Bromwich Albion.

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"We've got to go and see it through and control what we can control. We can control our performances and how we approach games and our mindset to games.

"We want to win every game we go into. That's how we want to do it. We want to play our way and utilise our philosophy.

"Ultimately we go out to win every game and that's what we'll do from now until the end of the season. It's credit to the players to put themselves in a position where they are now."

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