Leeds United fans pinpoint key difference between them, Sheffield United and Burnley that could cost them promotion

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Leeds United’s disastrous run of form continued this weekend, and the Whites have now slipped out of the top two places in the Championship table for the first time since December.

After a 1-1 draw against lowly Luton Town — a result Daniel Farke called a ‘good point’ — Leeds are now one point behind Sheffield United, and two behind the new league leaders Burnley.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	BurnleyBurnley	40	23	15	2	55	12	43	84
2	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	40	26	7	7	56	30	26	83
3	LeedsLeeds	40	23	13	4	79	28	51	82
4	SunderlandSunderland	40	21	12	7	57	37	20	75
5	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	40	17	9	14	61	49	12	60
6	Bristol CityBristol City	40	15	15	10	51	43	8	60

While the Blades faltered away at Oxford United, Burnley secured a big three points away at Coventry City to claim top spot. Suffice to say, the state of play in the Championship today is very different to how it looked just days ago, never mind a month ago.

Leeds are falling apart again, just like last season, but fans think it’s all down to one blunder the club made during the January transfer window, especially compared to their promotion rivals.

• READ MORE: Daniel Farke has put immense pressure on his Leeds United future with ‘Premier League’ claim

Sheffield United and Burnley recruited better in January, Leeds failed to strengthen

Taking to social media to bemoan the way things are going right now, Leeds fans all seem to agree that the club was nowhere near proactive enough in the winter window, and the lack of reinforcements has now cost them dearly.

One Leeds supporter highlighted the fact the the Whites only signed 18-year-old goalkeeper, Robbie Cook, in January, which, when compared to the seven signings Sheffield United made, and the five players acquired by Burnley, simply looks inadequate.

United brought in Ben Brereton Diaz, Harry Clarke, Tom Cannon Hamza Choudhury, Rob Holding, Christian Nwachukwu, and Jefferson Caceres. Brereton Diaz has made a big impact in attack, while Choudhury has proven his doubters wrong.

Meanwhile, Burnley signed Ashley Barnes, Jonjo Shelvey, Marcus Edwards, Jaydon Banel, and Oliver Sonne. Both Barnes and Edwards in particular have brough extra depth and something a little different to the Clarets’ attack.

One fan touched on the fact that, while some of those players haven’t impacted their new teams, it’s still a signal of intent that has been severely lacking from Leeds. They said: “They’ll say none of them start for us, missing the point that they strengthened while keeping up with us, we didn’t. Plus, Diaz and Edwards go straight into our starting lineups.”

Another added, “Ownership blew it in January,” while others said, “If we don’t go up, this is the reason. We genuinely just needed one or two players to push this team over the line,” and “Same as last year… Never learn do we?”

The finger of blame has been pointed at everyone involved, with one supporter saying, “Just because we were playing well in January, it was arrogant by the club and Farke to think we didn’t need a couple of new players (even on loan). Unforgivable considering we made the exact same mistake last season.”

But, of course, we have to question who exactly makes these decisions. Is Daniel Farke the one turning down signings, or is the recruitment team failing to identify the right targets?

• READ MORE: Leeds United fans are all saying the same thing after Burnley flashpoint against Coventry City

Recruitment isn’t the issue, Leeds United’s mentality is going to be their undoing once again

There’s no denying that Leeds United are crumbling under the pressure again this season, but it’s not solely down to their transfer activity, or lack thereof.

The simple fact of the matter is that the mentality within the Leeds squad, and perhaps the manager, and even the fans, too, is not strong enough. That accusation that they will fall apart again has clearly got under everyone’s skin, and is causing their downfall week by week.

It’s likely what led to Illan Meslier’s errors and subsequent dropping by Farke, and that pressure has seen Leeds lose momentum at the worst possible time, while teams around them just get stronger.

Jobi McAnuff blamed squad depth for Leeds’ demise, but there’s clearly lots of different factors at play here, that have all combined to create a perfect storm.

With six games to go, we’re all desperate for a title race that goes to the final day, but if Leeds keep up this form, that will become a two-horse race before too long.