We can go up as champs, says Mat
Armstrong Bamford
MATEUSZ KLICH believes a steely focus will see Leeds finish the season with silverware on the table.
The title-hungry Whites brushed aside Blackburn to maintain their grip at the top of the Championship with just five games remaining.
And the Polish midfielder is quite happy to be pushed all the way to the wire in the club’s mission to return to the top flight for the first time in 16 years.
“We cannot think other teams are going to sleep and we’ve got time, because that’s not the case,” said Klich.
“You can see Brentford are probably going to win every game from now until the end of the season, so we have to be very careful and stay focused.
“They’re flying right now, so it’s better to think they’re going to win. It will keep us on our toes and make sure we are sharp.
“It’s going to be very demanding until the last game, but we are going to stay focused.”
The Bees thumped strugglers Wigan to keep the pressure on at the top, but Klich is confident that taking control of their own house will be the key to success. “We have to win our games, and if we do that we’ll be fine,” he said.
“That is the most important thing. We will fight until the end and try to win all our games.
“If we could win the league it’s going to be a better feeling. It’s always better to be in first place rather than second. We are fighting to win the league. “But that’s not new. That was our goal before the season started.
Referee: Robert Jones
We’re very happy, but over yet.”
Leading scorer Patrick Bamford fired Marcelo Bielsa’s (below) side ahead after just seven minutes following a careless mistake from midfielder Lewis Travis.
But Sam Gallagher dragged a shot inches wide and fellow forward Lewis Holtby crashed an effort against a post as Blackburn came within a whisker of levelling.
Bamford struck a post himself with a stinging drive, before playmaker Kalvin Phillips swept a stunning free-kick into the top corner to double the lead (top).
Adam Armstrong bagged his 14th goal of the season, another fine free-kick, three minutes after the restart to give Rovers some hope.
But Klich (above) scored via a deflection just five minutes later, and goalkeeper Christian Walton denied the Whites a fourth goal with an excellent save from Barry Douglas.
Rovers boss Tony Mowbray admitted: “I think the football world is looking forward to seeing Leeds in the Premier League to see how they get on against genuine class.
“But if they get there they will have to improve.” BLACKBURN:
LEEDS:
MOTM it’s not
PATRICK BAMFORD (LEEDS UTD)