Daniel Farke claims there’s a Championship manager who ‘deserves’ play-off promotion this season, it’s not Chris Wilder

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United will be hoping that they can return to the top of the Championship table with a win over Bristol City on Monday evening, as the race for the title enters its final phase.

The Whites moved down to second place on Saturday afternoon following Burnley’s excellent 5-0 win over QPR at Loftus Road, just a day before Scott Parker was named manager of the season.

However, a victory for Daniel Farke’s side over a Bristol City team pursuing a play-off spot will see Leeds move to the summit once again on goal difference, and take control of the race for the number one spot into Saturday’s all-important fixture against Plymouth Argyle.

While the two automatic spots have already been decided, there are still five sides fighting for a place in the top six, with another five teams looking to stave off the drop.

The Robins will head into the weekend as one of the favourites for either a fifth/sixth-place finish, and Farke has been rather complimentary towards their manager for his role in their performance.

Daniel Farke compliments Liam Manning for Bristol City success

Bristol City head into the clash against Leeds off the back of a very disappointing 3-1 defeat to Luton Town, a result that halted a run of matches without defeat.

While a loss to the Whites will not be the end of their play-off hopes by any means, a win could ensure that they will finish fifth and take the pressure off the final day.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
2	LeedsLeeds	44	27	13	4	89	29	60	94
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	45	28	7	10	62	35	27	89
4	SunderlandSunderland	45	21	13	11	58	43	15	76
5	Bristol CityBristol City	44	17	16	11	57	49	8	67
6	CoventryCoventry	45	19	9	17	62	58	4	66
7	MillwallMillwall	45	18	12	15	46	46	0	66

Farke was quick to praise Liam Manning ahead of Monday’s match, and was very complimentary of the job that he has done at Ashton Gate this season. He said (via: leedsunited.com): “I think they’re playing an outstanding season.

“Liam [Manning] is doing a fantastic, fantastic job, and if someone deserves to be successful during this year, then it’s definitely Liam after all he has gone through.

“So it’s remarkable what he’s done. They fully deserve to be in such a good position and they have all the chances also to finish in the top six, and then also to have a go to promote to the Premier League.”

Farke continued: “He’s doing an outstanding job and has a really, really good group. There was many, many impressive results recently apart from the last game day but we know it’s a side who will fight for their life in order to win these precious important points.

“So it’s definitely not a walk in the park or just a celebration on Monday, I expect there will be a good atmosphere at Elland Road and rightly so.

“But, it will be one of the toughest tests we face during the whole season here at home and also we will face a side who will try to go for it and we have to be at our very best for that.”

Farke has the ability to help decide the play-off places

Sheffield United and Sunderland are the only two clubs to have secured their place for May’s Championship play-offs, and there a number of sides still battling it out for their opportunity to win promotion to the Premier League.

Bristol City have occupied one of those positions throughout April, and they know that just one win from their last two matches against Leeds and Preston North End will see them finish in the top six in the second tier for the first time since 2008.

However, the pressure will be on as Coventry City look to recover from a last-minute defeat to Luton at the weekend, a game which left manager Frank Lampard incredibly frustrated with the officials, with the Sky Blues welcoming Middlesbrough to the CBS Arena on Saturday.

Farke has his own motivation as his team look for their second Championship title in five years, and while he does recognise the job that Manning has done with the Robins, his focus will solely be on Leeds and their fight against Burnley.