Consistency not enough if Leeds are to sustain push

Leeds United, therefore, can surely be heartened by having extended their unbeaten run in the Championship to six games with Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at home to Charlton Athletic.

It was enough to leave Neil Warnock’s side sitting just one place and one point outside the play-off spots. So far, so good.

David Norris, however, accepts that United’s performance against the Addicks was not of the required standard and that big improvements will be needed if a push for the Premier League is to be maintained.

“The best thing that can be said (about Tuesday) is that the run goes on and we dug in to get a point,” said the midfielder, who netted his first league goal for Leeds in the stalemate with Charlton.

“But we didn’t play well and maybe the Charlton game was the kick up the backside we needed.

“I know that sounds strange when you are unbeaten in six or seven games in all competitions. That is difficult to do in this league so that can only be considered a good thing.

“Of course, a run like that is pleasing and we want to keep that going. But we never really got going against Charlton and that was disappointing. As a team, we like to play high tempo.

“We have to get at teams, especially at home. That is what gives the crowd a lift.

“But we didn’t do that from the start. Charlton set their stall out to slow the game down and time-waste a bit, which is to be expected when you come to Elland Road. But we have to be better to counter that.

“It was a disappointing night but we have another home game on Saturday against Birmingham. They are a good team but with two home games in a row then you have to get at least four points.

“If we do win then the Charlton result can maybe be looked at as a good point. But, first, we have to win.”

Norris is certainly right in the assertion that Leeds need to improve markedly when Lee Clark brings his Blues side to West Yorkshire.

On a night when the crowd of 17,484 – the lowest of the season in the league at Elland Road – sounded as flat as the looked team, United laboured for long periods.

Only Paddy Kenny and El-Hadji Diouf emerged with any credit for their all-round performances, though Norris could certainly be pleased with his first-half goal after displaying tremendous skill and awareness to beat goalkeeper Ben Hamer.

He added: “From a personal point of view, I was delighted with the goal. But I wish we could have won as it would have put us in the top six.”

He added: “It was a frustrating night that never really got going. How we start is vital as it gives everyone a lift.

“We then seem to feed off that. But it didn’t happen. I know it was frustrating for the lads on the pitch and I am sure it was the same for the crowd.

“The plus is we got a point despite not playing well. I think we have shown we can do that a couple of times this season.

“We have got points or wins when we perhaps haven’t done as well as we can. That is a good sign, especially in a league like this.”

United’s position just outside the play-off places means they are handily placed to push on now that the season has entered its second quarter.

Norris, who was making his first start since September 1 on Tuesday night following injury, said: “In terms of the season, we are up there.

“The play-off places are not too far away. At the moment, we are where we want to be. It is a case of maintaining it.

“If you lose three in a row, you are right down the bottom. But if you win a few you shoot up. That’s how this league is.

“Our position has been pretty constant so that shows we are pretty consistent.

“We just need to push on and keep the unbeaten run going. A win on Saturday will make it look a better start.”