Paul Heckingbottom has warned his Leeds United playing squad that they are still playing for their future at Elland Road, insisting he is still making decisions ahead of next season.
Leeds’ playing squad has come in for huge criticism recently, after a disastrous second-half to the season, which has left a play-off push in tatters and Leeds heading for a mid-table finish.
There are just three fixtures of the season remaining, starting with Saturday’s clash with Barnsley, who are fighting for survival during the run-in.
Ahead of that fixture, Heckingbottom has warned his squad that although the points mean more to Barnsley, he is still making decisions on who will be taken forwards into next season,
He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “It’s probably bigger for them than us but we want the points for our own reasons and I’m making decisions for next season all the time.
“They’re another team like Villa - Villa wanted the points for the right reasons, to go up, and Barnsley want the points to stay up. It makes all these games good and tough for us and it gives me a fair reflection in assessing the players because there’s something riding on the game.
“Everyone’s had an opportunity and I’ve been fair with everyone. The type of team that ends up on the pitch next season has to reflect me.”
Since Heckingbottom has taken charge at Elland Road, Leeds have just two victories under their belt, with Friday night’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa leaving the Whites 14thin the Championship table.
Relegation-threatened Barnsley visit Elland Road on Saturday, before Leeds head to Norwich City for the penultimate game of the season.
Following that trip to Carrow Road, Leeds return to Elland Road to face Queens Park Rangers on May 6th.
The Verdict
Leeds’ squad needs an overhaul in the summer, and Heckingbottom will have learnt a lot during his short time as head-coach at Elland Road.
Results and performances haven’t been good enough, with plenty of players facing the axe when the summer comes around.
A big three performances between now and the end of the season might not be enough to save some, but Heckingbottom is clearly expecting his playing squad to be fighting for every point.
Leeds fans… Let us know your thoughts!