Newcastle United clash should be perfect in Leeds United bid but Magpies can still ruffle feathers - David Prutton

But Marcelo was talking about the last two games in isolation in terms of the Brighton loss and the FA Cup third round exit at Crawley Town.

On paper, Leeds should have been beating Crawley no matter who played for them but we all know the game is not played on paper.

You would have liked to have thought that Leeds would then have got back on track against Brighton but that didn’t happen.

Maybe I am being overly or stupidly optimistic about it but if this concern is over two games and you box it off then great.

If it carries on into the next game then I think you do get concerned.

Given the time of year we are in ,then if Marcelo does have concerns then he can dip into the transfer market and this is the time to do it.

But as we have said before, if you are looking for a striker or attacking midfielder at this time of year then you are either going to get someone who is either going to cost a lot of money or who has not been playing or not been in particularly good form.

Overall, it’s great to get excited about being back in the Premier League but it’s also imperative that nobody gets carried away.

It would be phenomenal if Leeds finish in the top half of the division but United have got to learn to walk at this level before they go off running again.

To not get carried away and to be in the chat for next season in the Premier League is absolutely the first port of call and anything over and above that is a bonus.

Leeds have lost five of their last eight league games but I absolutely still think there will be at least three teams worse off than them by the end of the season.

I really do believe that from what I have seen from the teams over the course of the season so far.

There were two camps that you could fall into after something like the 6-2 defeat at Manchester United.

I was more in the camp of enjoying what Leeds were doing but equally when you get hammered at Old Trafford that is a huge warning sign.

But Leeds play in a certain way which they have done for the best part of three years now and it has suited them down to the ground.

I don’t think the recent run shows that Leeds are going to run out of steam, it just shows that the fundamentals of football will never change.

Defensively you have got to sound and attack wise you have got to be clinical and effective.

They haven’t been that in the last three games against Brighton, Crawley and also in the 3-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.

I am going to make it sound very simple and straightforward but all you have got to do is learn your lessons and take it on the chin if people are pointing the finger and asking questions.

The best way to answer that is by having a performance and a result in the next game at Newcastle tomorrow night.

Newcastle have lost four in a row but it won’t be simple at all despite the flak that is coming Magpies manager Steve Bruce’s way and the perception of what Newcastle are as a football team.

But let’s not get carried away as Newcastle are able to compete and give teams a game

I saw them the other week against Sheffield United and they were nowhere near it but that’s not to say that things will work in Leeds’ favour.

If you look at it on paper it’s a good game for Leeds from the point of view of them getting themselves back up to speed.

But on the flip side of it, Leeds have got to be very wary, especially with Allan Saint-Maximin back.

He can be hot and cold and I have seen him in games where he has lifted the crowd but had absolute zero end product.

But then I have seen him in games where he has caused the opposition problems.

Leeds will be hoping for the ineffectual side if what can sometimes happen with his performance.

It’s the perfect game to get Leeds back on track but this is football and if they go into this thinking its a straightforward way of getting three points it will bite them on the bum.

Taking points against the teams that could possibly be down there come the end of the season and teams that are looking like they are going to be down there at the end of the season is absolutely imperative.

It’s about keeping breathing space between yourself and the bottom three.

There might be a perception that Leeds should beat Newcastle but Newcastle have been a better Premier League side than Leeds over the last 16 years by actually being in the Premier League.

It might be a different incarnation with different personnel and a different manager and a different feel about it but they can’t take games like this for granted.

Just as it would be a fillip for Leeds to get back on track, if Newcastle win and get back on track then that alleviates a bit of pressure on Steve Bruce.

He will be chomping at the bit to make sure his side does that.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/jamie-redknapp-mulls-over-paceless-newcastle-uniteds-prospects-against-bang-out-form-leeds-united-3111068

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins