A 3-game losing streak saw Leeds United surrender their earlier lead atop the Championship table, and the Elland Road club would have completely dropped off the playoff zone had they lost to Bristol City at the weekend.
The 3-0 victory took them to 4th position, 4 and 6 points behind Cardiff and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively.
Having narrowly missed out on last season’s playoffs, Leeds are better off aiming at a top 2 finish this term, and former Nottingham Forest manager Stuart Pearce believes such an achievement is possible.
Winning the Championship or ending up as runners-up will ensure the Whites return to the Premier League since relegating at the end of the 2003-04 season.
When asked on Sky Sports Daily show on Monday morning what his reasons are for backing Leeds’ promotion ambitions, Pearce replied: “I watched the game up at Sunderland a few weeks ago, and they were outstanding, I have got to say.
“Defensively very strong, played a real open game, sort of five players defending, five attacking almost.
“They have goals in their team. I like their defensive partnership. I think It’s very good.”
Only table-topping Wolves have scored more than
Leeds’ 21 league goals this term, while they have conceded the least goals (12) behind only Cardiff and Sheffield United of the top 6.
They host 3rd placed Sheffield on Friday, and a win will see them get closer to the automatic promotion zone.
