Jermaine Beckford has outlined what has been the difference for Leeds United this season compared to last year.
After poor form cost the Whites automatic promotion last season, there was some concern that the same could happen when they lost to Cardiff City when the Championship resumed last month.
Yet Marcelo Bielsa's side have gone from strength to strength and, prior to Thursday's home game against Barnsley, needed just two points to clinch promotion.
Beckford says they are still under big pressure but feels that the three-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic has actually worked in the Whites' favour.
In fact, he feels the break has strengthened the Whites' promotion claims and removed any chance of an end-of-season slump similar to the one they suffered last season.
The former Whites striker told Sky Sports: “There’s always massive pressure on a Leeds United player.
"Regardless of whether you’re at the top of the league or not - it’s just part and parcel.
"I think the thing that has definitely benefited Leeds this time around is having the break.
"Last season, Leeds didn’t have the opportunity to rest and you could tell by the last couple of games and against Derby in the play-offs.
"The players ran out of steam - long story short.
"This time around, they’ve come back and they look really good.
"Apart from the defeat to Cardiff, I think Leeds have just gotten stronger and stronger as the games have gone by.”
