If Leeds United end up in the play-offs after a disappointing run of form, fans need look no further than down the M62 for inspiration.
Back in 2016/17, while Garry Monk’s Leeds United were busy throwing away a play-off position which looked all but guaranteed, West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town were also having a difficult end to their Championship season.
After spending much of the early months of the season in the automatic promotion spots under head coach David Wagner, Huddersfield spent almost the entire remainder of the season sitting comfortably in the play-off positions.
However, as the business end came around, Huddersfield’s form fell away and out of the last 14 games, they managed only five wins and were defeated seven times, including losing three out of their last four games, scoring only two goals in the process.
Out of the other play-off contenders, Sheffield Wednesday won six out of their last seven matches, Reading won seven out of their last nine and Fulham, the surprise package who ended up in the play-offs at the Whites' expense, won six out of their last eight games.
Although it’s often said the team which enters the play-offs in form will go on to win them, Huddersfield blew that theory out of the water when they went on to beat Sheffield Wednesday in the play-off semi final, then Reading in the play-off final to win promotion to the Premier League.
Here’s a look at how the last four games of the season played out for Huddersfield…
Huddersfield 1-4 Fulham
Although Huddersfield took an early lead through a penalty in the fourth minute, Fulham put four goals passed Huddersfield in the first half, coasting to victory, despite Huddersfield having 58 per cent of possession and more shots on goal.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Huddersfield
The only victory for Huddersfield in their last four games came courtesy of a goal from Izzy Brown, currently on loan at Elland Road. This victory secured a play-off spot for the Terriers.
Birmingham City 2-0 Huddersfield
Birmingham’s first win under boss Harry Redknapp left them safe from relegation. Birmingham had a man sent off early in the game and missed a penalty, but that didn’t stop them scoring a goal in each half. Huddersfield had made 10 changes to the starting line-up following the confirmation of their play-off spot, but this result saw them drop two places to fifth.
Huddersfield 0-3 Cardiff City
Huddersfield’s last home game of the regular season saw goalkeeper Danny Ward sent off after just 20 minutes, by which time they were already trailing 0-1. A brace from Cardiff’s Joe Bennett finished off Huddersfield’s season, confirming fifth position and a semi-final tie against Sheffield Wednesday.
Three Leeds United players included in PFA Championship Team of the Year
Play-offs
Heading into the play-offs, Huddersfield had lost seven out of 14 games and only scored once from open play in their last four games. This poor goal-scoring form continued into the play-offs with Huddersfield failing to score a single goal from open play in either the semi-final or final, yet still winning promotion to the Premier League.
The home leg of their semi-final against Wednesday ended up a goalless draw with their return leg finishing 1-1, Huddersfield’s only goal courtesy of an own goal from former Whites defender Tom Lees. They won the tie 4-3 on penalties.
The final against Reading also ended 0-0, with Huddersfield going on to win 4-3 on penalties.
So, if the worst happens and Marcelo Bielsa's side lose the remaining two matches and head into the play-offs in bad form, struggling for goals, fans may be comforted to know a team from West Yorkshire has recently overcome the exact same obstacles and made it to the Premier League.
