By Danny Sheridan – @DannyShezz, Shoot’s Leeds blogger
In the last three games, United have gained seven points against ruthless opposition in both Birmingham and Bournemouth, while Billy Sharp’s last-gasp winner away to Huddersfield – in a crucial Yorkshire derby – has sent fans into raptures and renewed optimism for the rest of the season.
From potential relegation worries and hovering dangerously above the relegation zone, United have strived to push forward and reintroduce hope throughout the club. Despite Cellino’s enforced resignation (for now?!), most fans have remained loyal to his regime and are looking towards future endeavours rather than dwelling on any past disappointment.
Leeds are by no means clear of relegation and there are still doubters as to Redfearn’s capability or team selection, but it is an evident positive that recent results have been so successful. Few would have believed that United would have picked up this many points in recent weeks after such misfortune and negativity in the weeks previous, with optimism ringing around Elland Road at present.
After having a mixed spell at United so far, Billy Sharp well and truly stepped up to the plate in the Yorkshire derby on Saturday. The last-gasp goal that set United on course to victory was vital at this stage in the season, with Leeds sure to have believed a point would have been satisfactory away from home. The victory closed the gap between the rivals to only two points, a total that Leeds will be sure to want to overturn before the end of the season. Recent signings Ngoyi and Bamba are set to shore up the spine of United’s team, with Bamba in particular gaining a large amount of praise from fans due to his battling performance against Huddersfield.
These are interesting times at Elland Road. The team need to use the last three games as a stepping stone to greater things and an encapsulation of the form that they are capable of, hopefully continuing the positive vibe around the club at present and allowing Redfearn the time and space he deserves to build a team around his personal ethos.