Leeds United have given their survival hopes a crucial boost over the weekend with another point gained on West Ham and Nottingham Forest.
Leeds had a huge opportunity this week to clear even more space to the bottom three after the results that unfolded on Saturday afternoon.
A drubbing for West Ham away at bottom club Wolves, while Nottingham Forest lost at Aston Villa, opened the door for further progress at Elland Road.
Most Read on LeedsAllOver
Gary Neville assesses Leeds United survival hopes over West Ham after Manchester United draw
Leeds’ response to defeats below them was a spirited display and an extension of their unbeaten run to seven games. Brenden Aaronson’s fine finish against Manchester United was quickly cancelled out by Matheus Cunha to see the points shared.
But again, it was a point gained for the Whites. That sees us eight clear of 18th place after 20 games, a running total you’d have bit hands off for before a ball was kicked this season.
Leeds United’s squad reflect on 1-1 draw vs Manchester United. (REUTERS/Chris Radburn)
Gary Neville believes that a key difference between Leeds and West Ham at the moment is morale in the camp. While Leeds seem ‘together’, the Irons entire setup appears “toxic”.
“Everything seems toxic. What a club West Ham is, they’ve been down before, they’ll go down again, it may be this season. If they can drag Forest back down there; Leeds look really strong at the moment,” Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast.
“They look like they’re going to pick up points through their togetherness, physicality. You’re going to have to drag a couple down with you if you’re West Ham, you’ll have to bring a couple back,” he said.
“What you can’t do is become cut adrift. Wolves and Burnley will really struggle, no chance. If West Ham can do some business, they have a manager who has done this before. Tuesday is the start of that.”
Can Leeds United keep their momentum as West Ham face Nottingham Forest in massive relegation bout?
Leeds’ momentum at the moment has seen us make survival look a much more likely prospect than it looked just over a month ago.
Farke’s position was justifiably being seriously questioned, but the penny has dropped. His pragmatism is getting us through what’s been a ridiculously tough run.
Contrast that with West Ham’s wretched run of form and ongoing discontent around everything at the club. That includes Nuno Espirito Santo being under pressure now ahead of Tuesday too.
If we can maintain this consistency going into February, then we have a really good chance to survive the drop.
Read more: Three strikers Leeds United must consider January transfer swoop for.