LUFC Bates - We can make the play-offs

Leeds United chairman Ken Bates believes Leeds can reach the end of season play-offs.

Bates feels that the clubs above them almost don`t want promotion, with results continuing to go Leeds way despite their own inconsistent form.

The race for the play-offs is wide open with five points separating Brighton in fourth and Leeds in tenth place with seven games remaining.

Only Birmingham City, who currently fill the last play-off place have a game in hand on anyone in the top half of the table.

Brighton are the only side from third placed down to Hull City in ninth place who have won two games out of their last six, with the championship form table turned upside down in recent weeks.

Leeds are now just three points outside the play offs after their win at Millwall last weekend and Bates believes Leeds could be the dark horses coming through the pack.

Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, Bates said, "It is the most peculiar season. It is like it was a couple of seasons ago. It is almost as if nobody wants promotion, but we do.

"We have seven games remaining and we can still do it. We can certainly get into the play-offs and then after that it is anybody`s chance.

"We have four home games out of the last seven and they are all winnable. We could be the surprise dark horse coming through the pack. Let us hope so."

Bates feels that West Ham and Reading are slugging it out for the final automatic promotion space with leaders Southampton, six points clear of West Ham in third.

The Leeds chairman feels that the final three play-off places are still up for grabs though and he believes that Leeds can claim one. "West Ham and Reading can fight it out for the automatic promotion place but the other places are up for grabs. With the risk of sounding repetitious, I think we can do it,." added Bates.

Four of Leeds final seven games are at home against teams currently below them in the championship table.

The three remaining away games though are all against sides currently above them in the championship, with the games at Blackpool and Cardiff definite six pointers.




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