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In David Prutton's Yorkshire Evening Post column, he believes that Sheffield United's win over Leeds would have had far greater significance had it come later in the season, rather than with eight games still left to play.

Both teams are currently vying for an automatic promotion place in the Championship, with the Blades victory over their latest opposition moving them above Marcelo Bielsa's side in the table.

What's been said?

Speaking about the battle for promotion to the Premier League, Prutton commented on the psychology of football, explaining whether a team would rather be in front or behind at this stage of the campaign.

The gap between the two sides at the moment is just a point, with Chris Wilder's men sitting in second place ahead of third-placed Leeds.

Here's what the 37-year-old had to say on the matter.

"It’s a huge result, don’t get me wrong, but it would only have felt like a telling blow if Sheffield United had a couple of games left to play. At that stage there might have been no way back for Leeds but in the cold light of day, it’s still March and there are eight fixtures to go."

The ex-Sheffield Wednesday man was quick to add just how quickly things can change.

"The top two positions have changed hands so many times already this season and it would be typical of football if, having lost a massive derby at home, results this weekend shot Leeds back into second.

"Psychology in football is funny. The finishing line will seem much closer from Bielsa’s perspective than it does from Wilder’s, simply because Sheffield United would like the season to end here and now."

A Yorkshire battle intensifies

In this situation, things can be far easier for the team chasing so Prutton's comments make perfect sense. At the moment, all the pressure is on Sheffield United to maintain their form and go on to take the final automatic promotion place. It's something that could have an adverse effect on the team mentally as all Leeds have to do is focus on themselves, rather than those around them.
However, there have been suggestions in these types of situations that you'd rather have points on the board so it's a difficult mentality to assess. Prutton's assessment is interesting and does have substance to it, but arguably if Sheffield United were a point in front with a few games to go the pressure could be even greater than it is now. But the momentum a team could gain from beating a rival late in the season when everything is still to play for is also something that could be significant.