Leeds United collapse did not surprise a Southampton dressing room eyeing Wembley reunion

Dropping off to two wins from Leeds United’s last eight games is no surprise to Russell Martin, who warned the Championship can chew up any club at any time. The Southampton boss oversaw an away win for the Saints on Saturday with a result that confirmed the Whites will be following the Hampshire outfit into the play-offs.

Before the last international break of the season, Leeds were top of the league, having played one game more than Leicester City. Yet Daniel Farke’s side’s form collapsed from unbeaten in 15 games to eight points from the last 24 available to them.

However, Martin, whose own side completed 22 consecutive league matches without defeat between September and February and still only finished fourth, knows how brutal the second tier can be. The Saints boss was fully aware he might be facing Farke again in three weeks at Wembley.

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“I wouldn't call it that (a Leeds collapse), but it's not a surprise to me any team [going on a bad run],” he said. “It’s so difficult, this division, so difficult. At one point they're in such a good place, in the same way we were.

“We went 25 games unbeaten [in all competitions] and finished fourth. It explains the difficulty of the competition and how tough it is this season. So it doesn't surprise me any team would have a tough period.

“Our focus is on us and being aware we might play his team in three weeks time. I hope we're there and it doesn't surprise me, anything in this league, to be honest.”