Leeds United manager Daniel Farke insists the 1-1 draw with Luton Town was ‘definitely one point gained’ despite losing ground in the race for automatic promotion.
The Whites entered the game having won just one of their last five outings, with their 2-2 draw against Swansea City last weekend seeing them surrender their lead at the top of the Championship to Sheffield United. With a lunchtime kick off against the Hatters, the Yorkshire-based side had an opportunity to move back to the summit – temporarily at least.
Luton were always likely to provide tough opposition. Staring down the barrel of back-to-back relegations, Matt Bloomfield’s side have hit a good form at the right time and had lost just one of their last five before yesterday’s clash.
The Hatters showed why when they took the lead through Isaiah Jones after 15 minutes. Leeds hit back in stunning fashion 13 minutes later when Dan James curled an effort into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box. However, they were unable to build on their 79th goal of the season, having to settle for a point.
Farke Upbeat Despite More Dropped Points
In a further blow to Leeds’ promotion hopes, Burnley bear Coventry City to move to the top of the league and push Farke’s team into the play-off places. They did receive a small boost later in the afternoon though when Sheffield United suffered a shock defeat to Oxford United.
Speaking after the game, the German coach remained upbeat, hinting that Luton are a team in a false position after last season’s Premier League exploits:
“We knew that it would always be a difficult game today because let’s be honest, Luton were playing in the Premier League last season, with not the worst points tally I have to say.”
Continuing, Farke claimed that the result was one point gained rather than two points dropped:
“You just have to concentrate on yourself and, for me… of course I would have preferred three points today, if Manor (Solomon) put that chance away, it would make our life easier, but I also have to judge what I see and I liked our spirit, our togetherness, but we also overcame the adversity.
“It’s definitely one point gained. You can never underestimate, especially during this time a point on the road, also a point against a side who’s fighting with the knife between the teeth against relegation, so for me it was one of the toughest games of the run-in.”
Writer’s View
Leeds have gotten away with one here. They have faltered in recent weeks and find themselves outside the top two for the first time since November. However, Sheffield United’s defeat means they will still fancy their chances of automatic promotion. All eyes will be on April 21st when Burnley meet the Blades in a game which could potentially decide who lifts the Championship title in May.
