'How does that happen?' Claim Leeds United's season destroyed by what happened at Watford

Sky Sports commentator Don Goodman says the March international break 'absolutely destroyed' Leeds United's automatic promotion challenge by disrupting their rhythm, something the club have failed to regain in the run-in. Leeds went into the March break with a run of 12 wins and one draw from their 13 Championship games, but stuttered towards the finishing line over the following two months.

Returning from a two week break at Watford, Daniel Farke's men drew at Vicarage Road thanks to a late Mateo Joseph goal, and while they were victorious three days later at home to Hull City it was a far from convincing display in what proved to be just one of two wins in their last nine matches.

Asked about Leeds' chances of promotion and their recent form, Goodman told olbg.com; “The March international break absolutely destroyed Leeds United's season. It's as simple as that.

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“Leeds went to Vicarage Road to play Watford after keeping 10 clean sheets in 13 games but the international break disrupted their rhythm. For some of their players, it was their third game in six days. They moved Ethan Ampadu from defence into midfield through necessity that night and Watford ran them ragged.

“The noticeable difference from that point is that they started to concede goals. In the final eight games of the season, they conceded 15 goals in eight games. They had previously conceded three in 13 games How can that be explained? How does that happen?

“The only consolation for Leeds is that the other three teams are also going through difficult patches of form. There are eight sides that got more points than the teams in the play-offs across the final eight matches of the season."