'We will still be in the Premier League for sure' - former Leeds United defender certain of Whites top flight staying power

While the ex Whites man acknowledges that Marcelo Bielsa's side will not relax until their priority - staying in the division - is a mathematical certainty, he himself is certain they will begin the 2021/22 campaign as a top flight side.

And what has helped them put together a start 'to be proud of' in their first Premier League season in 16 years is an ability to shake off disappointment and keep adding points to their tally, which now sits at 23 from 17 games. A 12-point cushion separates them from Fulham in 18th, while the Cottagers' fellow relegation zone occupants West Brom and Sheffield United have 15 and 21-point gaps to make up on Leeds.

Leeds responded to an opening day defeat at Liverpool with victories over Fulham and the Blades. When they were beaten 4-1 in successive games by Leicester and Crystal Palace, they stopped the rot with a goalless draw against Arsenal and a win at Everton. Losses to Chelsea and West Ham were followed with a 5-2 beating of Newcastle that showed their confidence was undented and a 6-2 battering by bitter rivals Manchester United preceded wins and clean sheets against Burnley and West Brom.

Last weekend the Whites fell to a 3-0 defeat at Spurs, with world class strikers Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min chiefly doing the damage. Now Leeds must bounce back, firstly in the FA Cup on Sunday at Crawley and then at home to Brighton six days later. Matteo is confident they can, because they've made a habit of it.

"That elite player finds a way to beat you and then you've got to come again," said Matteo.

"That's what Leeds have done really well. You have to be proud of what they've achieved, bouncing back.

"That's what encourages me about this Leeds team, it doesn't seem to matter when they get beat by a few goals, it doesn't seem to affect them that badly. They seem to react well. The best clubs' reactions to results tells you something. It's important for Leeds to react well again now."

Matteo cites the ability of attackers in the top sides, like Kane and Son, as a difficulty that any newly promoted side will struggle to overcome but the defeat in London has done little to spoil what he feels is a fine start to the season and one that gives him confidence in Leeds' staying power in the Premier League.

"It's not very often you come up against a player of the quality of Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min," he said.

"It's going to take time. Maybe it's just being new to the Premier League and playing against those elite players.

"We took six points from the last three games and you'd have taken that, let's be honest. It's been a decent run and a decent start to the season, 23 points. Look at who is behind us and where they are. Another couple of wins and while Leeds wouldn't relax, but they'll be in a strong position to stay up and then build again in the summer. We will still be in the Premier League, for sure."

Along with further strengthening in the summer transfer market, what Leeds will need to show, in order to become the established Premier League side they want to be, is a mindset that says they can win no matter the identity or quality of the opposition and patience, as they grow into a club who can turn that mindset into three points.

"If you want to be the best you have to think about building towards that," said Matteo.

"We're a way off that just now but you still have to have that thought in your mind - when I played for Leeds I thought I don't care who we're up against, we're going to beat these and that's what happened a few times. It's not complacency, it's confidence.

"Look at some of the clubs who are now established in the top flight, it took them a number of years to do that."