Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips sums up the promotion attitude needed with post-game comments

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Leeds United battled to a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough in the Championship yesterday. It was a game that went to 12 minutes of added time after Leeds’ teenage sensation Jack Clarke fell ill on the bench. He has since been released from hospital and, hopefully, all is well.

Kalvin Phillips used up nearly all 12 of those minutes to ensure Leeds took a point from the game.

The Leeds talent headed home what could prove to be a crucial equaliser. Temporarily at least, Leeds are now back top of the Championship.

But Phillips was clearly not satisfied with his overall performance. As he told the Yorkshire Evening Post, he felt to blame for Lewis wing’s opener for Middlesbrough.

“It’s a hard one really because the manager is always speaking about as soon you lose the ball getting back into your position and I feel like at that moment in time I just didn’t do that quick enough and obviously the ball then went to Wing with him scoring.

“Maybe it’s a bit harsh but no one else is to blame really but me.”

It is that sort of mentality that could see Leeds through this season. The Whites need all their players taking responsibility for their actions and playing with a level of maturity if they are going to win promotion.

The fact is, Leeds are operating with an extremely thin squad and if players are passing the buck, there is no chance they would be in this sort of position. Instead, they are all standing up and being counted. If everyone at Leeds is following Phillips’ lead, then there is no doubt they will be in the promotion picture come the end of the season.