Sky Sports journalist explains what he saw from Leeds players in training, ahead of crucial Brentford clash

By Lee Connor

It’s make or break for Leeds United this weekend as they must go to Brentford and better the result of Burnley to stay in the Premier League.

Jesse Marsch’s side had looked all but safe at one point but have slipped back into the bottom three after a woeful run of form cost them. A huge goal from Pascal Struijk last weekend has given them a lifeline, although Burnley’s point at Villa in midweek has ramped up the pressure.

For Leeds’ players, the game at Brentford can’t be any bigger or hold more pressure. They know they have to get a result, and Sky Sports journalist Tim Thornton has been at Thorp Arch observing the goings on. And in what could be good news for Leeds fans, the Sky man explained that the Whites players are looking in a relaxed mood for now.

“A relaxed but focused group I think this morning. It’s a big, big weekend for Leeds. 16 years out of the Premier League, they certainly won’t want to drop out this season. We see it all the time though with twists and turns, we saw it with Everton the other night. But the focus here at Leeds very much on getting the win and staying in the PL,” Thornton said.

“There’s such scrutiny on the football team in Leeds. They’ve known they have to dig out results for a few weeks. That goal from last weekend could be huge. Without that point it might not be so positive. Huge weekend ahead, I think there’s a little bit of tension here with the players, but probably even more tension with the fans.”

TBR’s View: Leeds Need Performance Of The Season At Brentford

The good news is that Brentford have little to play for themselves. The bad news is that Brentford are a really good side and will want to finish as high as they can. They showed at Everton how good they can be, and Leeds need to be on it.

It’s a huge day tomorrow for the whole club. It took so long to get back that going down after just two years will be a nightmare for Jesse Marsch’s men. They’ll lose key players, and it will be a deflating blow all around.

The players might seem relaxed for now. But you can guarantee that come tomorrow, the nerves will be there.