On Boxing Day, Leeds secured a fourth win on the bounce to secure a four point cushion in the play-offs.

They failed to win any of their next ten matches.

Now, with six games of the season left and ten points behind sixth, Leeds’ season is over.

Another mid-table finish and last year’s charge for the play-offs seems like a blip.

Should they finish where they are now, it will be the sixth time in the eight seasons since promotion that they have finished between 13^th and 15^th.

Leeds are treading water.

This risks becoming a permanent state of being for the club.

Andrea Radrizzani’s buyout of the club in May ended the chaotic, albeit highly entertaining, reign of Massimo Cellino.

This promised stability. However, Radrizzani is already on his third manager. The loss of Garry Monk within two days showed a lack of understanding in how to build on last season.

The glut of transfers, both in and out, has created a loss of continuity and a bloated squad.

The answer to Leeds’ problems is simple: Do as little as possible.

The core elements of a successful team are largely in place. Leeds’ spent more than half of the season in the top six before the ten game winless run.

Trim the fat from the squad. Keep a manager for a whole season, longer if possible. The only question is whether to keep Heckingbottom or replace him in the summer.

Two wins in ten is not good enough. However, a new manager would create instability. Another squad overhaul is not required and would only hurt the side.

Any new manager would have to be committed to largely working with what he had. However, the elements are there. With some moulding of the squad and shrewd investment (particularly up front), Leeds could well be play-off contenders next season.