Richard Sutcliffe: Leeds supporters fear prospect of play-offs at Elland Road

Millwall's 2-0 victory had been far more comfortable than even Kenny Jackett could have hoped and it was as if the ramifications had just sunk home to the dejected United fans.

A lead over the now third-placed Lions that, on New Year's Day, had stood at 20 points was down to a mere three and the dreaded play-offs were edging ever closer – the memories of two final defeats and one semi-final exit in four seasons ensuring the 21,000 home fans filed out silently into the night.

Simon Grayson's response this week has been to bolster his squad with a trio of loanees – Shane Lowry, Neill Collins and Sanchez Watt.

All three could be involved tomorrow at Norwich City as Leeds attempt to turn round a season that is in danger of going badly wrong.

Grayson believes the new faces can provide the necessary lift to keep in-form Millwall at bay during the run-in along with challenges from Charlton, Colchester, Swindon and Huddersfield.

It seems, however, that at least one United fan is far from impressed with the entry for Arsenal winger Watt on the on-line encyclopaedia, Wikipedia, being mischievously edited.

Now, this site – which relies on contributions from the public to keep it up-to-date – has form for having been hijacked with veteran BBC TV composer Ronnie Hazlehurst once being credited with having written the song Reach by S Club 7.

Journalists composing obituaries following Hazlehurst's death in 2007 duly fell for the lie and repeated it – without checking – the following day.

Once the error came to light, Wikipedia immediately rectified the problem but it was too late to prevent several broadsheets plus the BBC putting their foot in it.

I was minded of this yesterday when a Leeds-supporting friend, on hearing Watt had been signed for the rest of the season, sent me the internet link for the page dedicated to the teenager.

All was well until towards the bottom of his club career, where the information about Watt having spent a month on loan with Southend United had been updated with the following: "He has now come to Leeds United. Great, another winger is just what we need...."

The amended entry continued by questioning the signing before ending: "Sanchez arrived at Thorp Arch this morning with his boots and a neck-brace, ready to work on Leeds's tactics for Saturday's game at

Norwich."

Clearly, it was a hoax but what the missive also revealed was the disaffection among some Leeds fans right now after a run that has seen United take just 15 points from 14 games since the turn of the year.

Everyone at Elland Road must hope that sorry record is not extended at Carrow Road tomorrow or continued anxiety in the stands could make what is threatening to be a nervous end to the season turn into a catastrophic finale.