Consistency is key to Leeds play-off push, says Warnock

However, after overseeing the first win of his reign with a comfortable 2-0 triumph at Middlesbrough yesterday, the United manager also admits his side need to chalk up “two or three more wins” in quick succession to truly force their way into the promotion reckoning.

First-half goals from Robert Snodgrass and Luciano Becchio ensured Leeds’ proud record of never having lost at the Riverside continued in front of the live BBC cameras.

The win cut the gap between sixth-placed Cardiff City and Warnock’s side to four points ahead of Saturday’s eagerly-anticipated clash with West Ham at Elland Road. Asked if the play-offs were an attainable goal, Warnock said: “Mathematically it is and I know you lot in the press will talk it up.

“But we have to win a number of games to make it happen. The thing is we are capable of doing so. To have any chance whatsoever, the players will have to show the consistency I know they are capable of showing.

“We have to get two or three more wins under our belt to put the pressure on. But we are going to have a big say because we play all the top teams.

“Anything is possible. We have got 10 games left so there are 30 points there. But we have to have a pretty fantastic run because there are good teams below the play-offs, not just in them. I don’t get kidded. We played well against Middlesbrough but we could quite easily have lost at Hull the other night.

“We didn’t create a chance there, which was disappointing. Against Middlesbrough, we always looked threatening – as we did at Portsmouth, while against Southampton we were fantastic.

“To go on the run we need, the players have all got to play at the top level. Every single one of them. Whether they can show that consistency I don’t know. I’ve not had them long enough.

“But what I will say is they have already surprised me on two or three occasions.

“We move onto West Ham now and I don’t think anyone needs motivating for that. We are playing one of the best clubs in the country and I am looking forward to it.

“It is a fantastic fixture. I said three weeks ago when I came in that I wanted to see 30,000 at Elland Road before the end of the season and I meant the visit of West Ham.

“They will bring 4,000 up so I will be very disappointed if we don’t get 29-30,000. I can’t wait.”

Sam Allardyce’s side will undoubtedly be tough opponents next weekend but if Leeds can maintain the level of performance shown at the Riverside yesterday then they must surely be in with a chance of claiming another important three points.

Warnock’s delighted mood was in stark contrast to that of Boro manager Tony Mowbray, who not only saw his side waste a chance to put pressure on the leaders but also lost Barry Robson to a red card and Kevin Thomson to concussion.

Robson will miss the next three games after aiming a petulant kick at Leeds midfielder Clayton in the closing stages.

Boro must now regroup before a double-header on the road at Birmingham City and West Ham.

Mowbray said: “We take it on the chin and move to the next game. We are not fourth for no reason. We have not fluked it. We are a good side and we will do better.”