LIAM’S ON ROAD TO REDEMPTION
Cooper says last season’s near-miss will lift Leeds
LEEDS V LUTON 7.45PM
LIAM COOPER says Leeds are being driven to promotion by the painful memories of their end-of-season collapse last year.
The Leeds skipper takes his table-toppers into a clash with struggling Luton tonight knowing victory will leave them just 11 points from returning to the top flight.
Despite having a healthy eight-point lead over thirdplaced Brentford, Cooper insists there is no complacency in manager Marcelo Bielsa’s squad.
Leeds fell out of contention for automatic promotion last season after a slump in form that ended with a play-off defeat against Derby.
But Cooper says this season has thrown up every emotion possible as Leeds look to end their 16-year exile from the Premier League.
The defender said: “They’re all so determined to put last year right and hopefully we can do that. We’ve just got to be on it for every game now and we will be.
“We’re lucky we’ve got a great bunch of lads, a fairly young group as well who are hungry, who want to go and develop and want to go and do this.
“They make it easier for me as a captain.
“Over the course of a season, you go through every single emotion.
“That is what football does to us and that is why we all love it. We have put ourselves in a really good position but anything can happen.
“We all know the Championship, there is no given. We have just got to concentrate on us and the rest will take care of itself.
“We’ve got to be at it every single game and every single minute, what will be, will be.” Leeds bounced back from defeat at Cardiff to crush promotion rivals Fulham 3-0 on Saturday.
Nathan Jones’ Luton side are next up and they are fighting for their lives in the Championship, heading to Elland Road just three points off safety.
Cooper added: “We’ve got to be prepared for that. They are a strong team, they’ve got a new manager and they’re in good form as well.”
A return of four points from their two games since the restart has given Luton hope of survival. Manager Jones, left, said: “Leeds is the most difficult place to go in the Championship. “It will be a great test, but a wonderful test. “We need to get to a points total that gives us an opportunity.”