Following a recent crucial victory against Middlesbrough, Leeds midfielder Ao Tanaka was seen in tears in the team's dressing room. Manager Daniel Farke, when asked about the player's emotional state, quoted Tanaka as saying, "I don’t know boss, I’m just so empty."
With the Championship season nearing its end and only four games remaining, the promotion race is intensifying. Farke acknowledged the pressure his players are under, stating, "It’s hard for all my players at the moment. We’re working for the most emotional club in the UK and the outside world is always nervous and panicking." He noted that his team, like Burnley, could potentially secure promotion as early as Easter Monday.
The current standings highlight the competitiveness, with Leeds, Burnley, and Sheffield United vying for the two automatic promotion spots to the Premier League. The team that fails to secure automatic promotion will likely join Sunderland and potentially two of Bristol City, Coventry, Middlesbrough, Millwall, and West Brom in the playoffs.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leeds | 42 | 53 | 88 |
| 2 | Burnley | 42 | 44 | 88 |
| 3 | Sheff Utd | 42 | 24 | 83 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 42 | 19 | 76 |
| 5 | Bristol City | 42 | 9 | 64 |
Sheffield United faces an uphill battle to close the five-point gap between themselves, Burnley and Leeds, especially after losing their last three matches. Their upcoming match against Burnley is crucial, considering their significantly lower goal difference.
Manager Chris Wilder acknowledged the mounting pressure, noting that "Anxiety sort of crept into the players and they’ve made mistakes they’ve not been making all season." Wilder himself was involved in a tunnel altercation after a recent defeat. He emphasized the need for his team to handle the pressure better, stating, "This is big boys’ football.”
Burnley's manager, Scott Parker, who has worked with a personal psychologist for several years, believes that pressure is a significant factor in critical mistakes made during the season, attributing them to being "more mental than technical."
Parker, Farke, and Wilder all have experience leading teams out of the Championship. Parker has secured two promotions (with Fulham and Bournemouth), Farke also has two (both with Norwich), and Wilder has one (with Sheffield United).
Burnley's strong performance, marked by only two losses and 29 clean sheets, is partly attributed to goalkeeper James Trafford, who is drawing interest from Newcastle.
Both Burnley and Leeds need a maximum of seven points to secure promotion. Leeds' recent struggles, with only one win in six games, led to Farke's decision to replace goalkeeper Illan Meslier with Karl Darlow. This decision may become a minor footnote in what has otherwise been a successful campaign.
After Leeds lost last season’s playoff final, Farke believed that they would have achieved automatic promotion if Patrick Bamford had not been injured. With Bamford now fit, he may be the striker Leeds needs to secure promotion, especially with Joël Piroe's recent goal drought. Farke noted, "Patrick’s not scared of the spotlight. His experience and smartness can help us.”
Sunderland's head coach, Régis Le Bris, despite having no prior first-team management experience and initially not speaking English, has built a tactically strong team. His ability to communicate effectively in English has contributed to his success.
Coventry's decision to appoint Frank Lampard as manager initially seemed risky, but Lampard is now competing with fellow former England midfielders Parker and Middlesbrough’s Michael Carrick for a spot in the Premier League.
League One
Birmingham are already promoted as champions. Second-placed Wrexham are one point ahead of Wycombe in the race for the other automatic promotion slot. Stockport and Charlton also retain a mathematical chance but are almost certain of a playoff place. Financially troubled Reading are three points clear in the race for the final playoff spot, with Leyton Orient, Bolton, Huddersfield and Blackpool still in contention.
At the bottom, Shrewsbury's relegation will be confirmed if they fail to beat Wigan on Friday. Cambridge will join them if they lose and Burton win. Crawley are six points from safety while Bristol Rovers are in the relegation zone on goal difference, with Burton fifth from bottom. Wigan, Mansfield and Northampton are also still looking nervously over their shoulders.
League Two
Port Vale have hit the top in a tight, fluctuating promotion race; three wins will guarantee their return to the third tier. Bradford are three points back in second, a point ahead of Walsall in third, who are in the automatic places only on goal difference, from Doncaster, having led the table for a long period. Also contesting automatic slots are Wimbledon, Notts County and Grimsby, though playoff places are more likely for that trio. Colchester, Salford, Chesterfield and Crewe also retain hope of reaching the top seven.
At the bottom, Morecambe will be relegated if they lose at Bromley on Friday and Tranmere and Accrington both win. Second-bottom Carlisle have a six-point gap to close over their remaining four games to avoid a second straight relegation.
Lampard acknowledged the competitiveness of the league, stating, "When I came in [we] were 17th. Now our season’s probably going right to the last day.”
While Carrick’s Middlesbrough may have underperformed, Bristol City’s manager, Liam Manning, has faced personal challenges, including the death of his baby son Theo. Despite this, Manning has returned to lead City, offering them a chance at Premier League promotion.
Nahki Wells, Bristol City’s striker, praised Manning’s leadership, stating, “There’s no big egos, no big names, just a team that’s together and hungry to grow. The manager’s kept us humble and got everyone performing at a high level.”
A potential Wembley final between Manning and West Brom’s Tony Mowbray would be particularly significant, especially given Mowbray's recovery from bowel cancer. Mowbray is preparing for a crucial Good Friday derby against Coventry.
Millwall’s manager, Alex Neil, remains a contender in the promotion conversation. Despite not fully realizing the potential he showed when guiding Norwich to promotion in 2015, his abilities are recognized.
Neil emphasized his team's opportunity, stating, “We’ve given ourselves a chance. We need to play without fear now. There’s really nothing to be scared of.”
