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Relegation battle will go down to wire – Wise
DENNIS WISE insists the Championship relegation battle will go down "to the wire" despite his Leeds United missing a golden opportunity to move off the bottom of the table.
A frustrating goalless draw at home to QPR on Tuesday means the Elland Road club go into a tricky double-header away from home in the coming five days at promotion-chasing Wolves and Birmingham City in a perilous position.
Two more defeats and the threat of a first ever relegation from the top two division will move ever closer, but Wise remains confident that his side can get out of trouble.
The Leeds manager said: "We had our chances (against QPR) and hit the post a couple of times. We deserved to win the game. We made a couple of mistakes at the back when we gave them chances, but overall we dominated the game and should have taken three points.
"We had enough shots on goal, but unfortunately not enough were on target. A couple of deflections could have gone in, but fell nicely for their goalkeeper.
"I was disappointed with the result, obviously, because I felt we should have won. They were more pleased than us with the result. But I was pleased with the way the lads performed."
Wise revealed after last month's win at Hull City that he had looked through the remaining fixtures and predicted where his side will pick up points.
Tuesday's home game with struggling QPR represented a golden opportunity to claim all three points but it was not to be as Leeds were left frustrated by both Robbie Blake and David Healy hitting the post in a goalless draw.
Wise said: "I might have had the (QPR) game down as a three, yes. But we have to keep going. There is not much in it down there and it is going to go to the wire. A lot of different results will happen in the next few weeks.
"We have to make sure we are out of it by the end of the season. I am pleased with what the lads gave me, they put the effort in. Unfortunately, it did not fall for us. I thought David Healy's shot was in.
"This is not a team that is on the floor. We do not look like a team that is bottom of this league. If we did, I would be worried. But I am not seeing that.
"We have to get to a certain amount of points. That is it, there is no point worrying about the other teams. I do not know what they will do over the coming weeks so there is no point trying to guess."
Leeds were boosted by a season's best crowd of 29,953 against QPR after the club slashed ticket prices in order to drum up support.
After attracting a crowd almost 10,000 up on their average, Leeds have extended the experiment to the Luton Town game on March 10 when adults will once again be able to gain admission for 15 and 25.
Wise said: "I think the crowd was fantastic. Full credit to the fans for getting behind the players at the right times. I just hope they carry on coming.
"This is a massive club and we need those fans. We need them on our side because it can help the situation. We want everyone mucking in.
"Everyone knew we would get close to 30,000 and that was a big boost for us. It created a good atmosphere, which is what we want. We need it lively.
"The fans could make the difference. The chairman is doing the same for Luton. It was lovely to get a good atmosphere."
Leeds have a host of injury problems ahead of the trip to Molineux with Alan Thompson and Armando Sa both being forced out against QPR with injury.
Wise said: "Thompson has pulled his calf and Sa has pulled his hamstring. We will have to wait and see how they are.
"We will also have to be careful with Richard Cresswell and Healy. I am not sure if Cressy will be available for Saturday, we will have to wait and see.
"We also have to be careful with David because of his arm. I slung them back in and they did okay. The more they play together, the better they will be."
On Neil Sullivan's exit on loan to Doncaster Rovers, Wise said: "I spoke to Neil and told him I would not be renewing his contract (this summer). He had the chance to go to Doncaster and went. I wish him well."
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 11 February 2012
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