Sam Allardyce has told Friday’s press conference – as per Leeds United’s official YouTube – that he told the players he wanted to go into the final day knowing that a win would keep us up, and is “disappointed” it has not happened.
Allardyce is preparing for his fourth and possibly final match in charge. A game that Leeds have absolutely got to win. Even with a win, Leeds are now in a position where three points may see Leeds fail to survive on the final day.
Leeds have had their chances. Certain windows where they should have capitalised. Patrick Bamford missed a spot kick when Leeds were 1-0 up against Newcastle and moments later, Leeds were 1-1, eventually drawing that 2-2.
We took the lead at West Ham but as soon as we did, the energy seemed to evaporate. Allardyce says he told the squad when he joined he wanted to go into the final game, knowing a win would keep us up, which is not the case.
“I hate it where I am now. When I came in, I told the players I wanted to be in a position that if we win [on the final day] then we stay up, no matter what anybody else does. That’s not happened. I’ve been disappointed by that.
“We have had the opportunity to do that – but we have failed to take it. We go into Sunday’s game with the hope of doing two things. We need a clean sheet, and then win by as many goals as we can,” Allardyce told his conference.
Sam Allardyce told Leeds players he wanted final day win to keep us up
Allardyce has got it bang on in that Leeds have missed chances. If we go 2-0 up against Newcastle, mentally it would have been massive for the players – and with the Toon fighting for Champions League, the pressure on.
Bamford missed and that was that. Against West Ham, going 1-0 up – Leeds played well for the first 30 minutes. But to go from that first 30, to what they did in the next 60, was bizarre. Two completely different teams. Win, please.
