SIMON JORDAN: While this is nothing like the s*** storm Leeds faced in 2004, they have turned themselves into a self-inflicted disaster zone… relegation might actually focus some minds

If Leeds United manage to get out of their predicament and stay up, they will need to exhume Harry Houdini to tell them how they managed it.

This has been a tragic waste of an opportunity for this remarkable club, who along with their fans spent so much time straining every sinew to get back into the Premier League after a 16-year absence. For a few halcyon moments three years ago they became everyone’s favourite second team, so exhilarating was their football.

But while it is always darkest before the dawn, the current economic situation at Leeds doesn’t resemble anything like it did when they were relegated in 2004 and there is no reason why they can’t come straight back up.