'Leeds are in a very, very good position'

BBC Radio Leeds reporter Adam Pope says that fan panic since the Sunderland defeat has been "disproportionate".

With a 1-0 loss to the Black Cats on Tuesday, the Whites made it three in a row without a win at Elland Road - where their form has been strong this season.

The result made way for West Ham and Nottingham Forest, each avoiding defeat on Wednesday, to close the gap, leaving Leeds three points clear of the relegation zone.

But Pope believes that United are still in a good place.

"I don't think it's as drastically wrong as people are making out," Pope told the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.

"The head loss this week has been disproportionate - I know it's largely because other teams have had results.

"But I still think they're in a very, very good position, and it's a position which allows them to be strong [in the FA Cup] this weekend.

"They've got a really good chance of going deep into this competition."

Drawn at home to a Championship side, Leeds have the opportunity to reach their first FA Cup quarter-final since the 2002-03 season if they beat Norwich on Sunday.

But with their Premier League position yet to be secured, manager Daniel Farke must decide how much he wants to commit to the knockout contest in his squad selection.

Pope notes that a home win in the cup could offer a well-needed boost to their league campaign.

"The side that played Derby, the side that played Birmingham - it should be enough to turn over Norwich, particularly at Elland Road," he said.

"But you can't be having a third defeat [in a row at home].

"It's a great chance to go and have a cup run, and give the fans something in a season which hasn't had much joy. It's a tough old league, it's very much the season we expected in terms of how it would feel - always looking over your shoulder.

"They need the winning feeling back, definitely."

You can listen to the full episode on Don't Go To Bed Just Yet on BBC Sounds