Leeds United’s fans have had their say on Saturday’s huge visit of Wolves.
DAVID WATKINS
Having pulled off that mighty result on Monday night, Leeds have wrestled the odds of survival this season back in their favour.
A few weeks ago, everyone was looking at the two home games against Wolves and Burnley as the likely source of the points we’d need to stay up, and now that looks very much like the scenario we should be aiming for.
Of course, the worry is how it would be so very ‘Leedsy’ to follow up Monday night with a poor performance against the bottom team in the division.
After all, Leeds have not won back-to-back league games all season! If ever there was a time, this is it.
Last season, of course, this was the point, with six games left, that Leeds reeled off six consecutive victories, albeit under a different kind of pressure.
We underestimate Wolves at our peril, though. Poor as they’ve been, under Rob Edwards, they are a different proposition, and although they are yet to win away, they have picked up draws at the likes of Manchester United, Everton and Brentford recently.
I’m going with a Leeds win, hoping for another stirring performance to edge closer to safety, but bank on a nervy afternoon, folks!
Prediction: Leeds United 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
KEITH INGHAM
They do say that things that matter are worth waiting for.
An FA Cup semi-final to look forward to - the club’s first in nearly 40 years - and then on Monday an incredible performance by the men in white to beat the old enemy Man United 2-1 at Old Trafford to gain their first league win in 45 years. Like buses, sometimes they come in pairs.
Saturday brings another important game as relegation favourites Wolves come to Elland Road.
Make no mistake this might seem an easy one but they are fighting for their lives and have improved under their new manager. They, if results go against them, could be relegated this weekend if Leeds beat them.
There probably won’t be Joe Rodon, Anton Stach and Dan James for this game but hopefully the players that performed so well, especially in the first half on Monday are all fit to go again. Ao Tanaka had another good game as did the returning Gabi Gudmundsson but not one player let the massive away following of 9,000 down.
As it’s Leeds I’m always wary of a great result being followed by a disappointing one. This I think will be different and if we can play as well as we did on Monday we will have too much for Wolves.
Prediction: Leeds United 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
“Daniel has gone about his business quietly and deserves great credit”
After a magical and historic win at Old Trafford, the real United face Wolves.
I can’t help thinking that the fancy dans of Salford believed that they would just blow their unworthy rivals away.
Well, we all know what happened and many of us are still buzzing.
The Whites must not fall into the same trap on Saturday.
Wolves may be all but dead and buried but they are to be treated with respect.
Their record has improved considerably since the appointment of Rob Edwards but his task was almost impossible.
Edwards replaced Vitor Pereira who is now hoping to save Nottingham Forest from the drop.
A message here for anybody who is daft enough to think we should look for an upgrade to Daniel Farke.
Daniel has gone about his business quietly and deserves great credit and I feel sure he will keep his charges grounded and focused for this important game.
It will be great to be back at Elland Road after two rare away wins and as long as the ground staff have been instructed to clear away any banana skins on the pitch, all should be well.
Prediction: Leeds United 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
“This is where complacency can set in”
ANDY RHODES
Not many of us would have expected Leeds United to be in this position this time last week.
Monday’s win at Old Trafford was a definite bonus, but the fact remains that tomorrow’s game against Wolves is as close to must-win as you can get.
If Leeds lose, it undoes all the hard work of Monday night, and the anxiety will set in once more.
At this stage of the season, it’s impossible not to peek at the league table. 39 points will be huge with five to play, especially if our rivals don’t get the results they need.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin may not have scored in Manchester but his defensive work was just as important.
Noah Okafor, meanwhile, has a habit of scoring important goals.
His last three have all secured points, and he was on the scoresheet at Molineux in the reverse fixture.
Leeds will expect to beat their bottom-of-the-table visitors at home, but this is where complacency can set in.
This needs to be business as usual.
Prediction: Leeds United 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
NEIL GREWER
Following the emphatic, immensely enjoyable victory at Old Trafford, the pressure on this game is drastically reduced and it seems like a victory against Wolves will give Leeds one foot into the Premier League next season.
A major concern last week was injuries to key players - Joe Rodon and Anton Stach, yet the team performed admirably without.
Daniel Farke has used the squad well recently and there will be opportunities again for fringe first-teamers to shine.
Ao Tanaka has impressed in the last two outings, scoring in one and all but scoring in the second.
James Justin is adaptable and performs every week. Willy Gnonto adds a threat when introduced and Ilia Gruev is reliable and functional when required.
Leeds are riding the crest of a wave at present and should have enough to beat Wolves, and if they score early, we may see a few goals.
However, the longer the game is goalless, Wolves will grow in confidence – they have little to lose.
Noah Okafor will again be pivotal and surely Domini Calvert-Lewin is due a goal from open play.
Prediction: Leeds United 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1.
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