Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink delivers Leeds United verdict amid Crysencio Summerville transfer point

Only automatic promotion will do for Leeds United this season. That is the view of former Whites striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink after a quarter of the 2024/25 campaign.

United fired a blank at Bristol City on Saturday as they were held to a goalless draw at Ashton Gate. Leaders Sunderland capitalised on the Whites' slip up, beating Oxford United 2-0 to open up a five-point gap at the top of the table.

But Daniel Farke's men sit in third position, outside the automatic promotion spots on goal difference, after amassing 23 points from 12 matches. Speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest football betting, Hasselbaink said: "Leeds should be targeting automatic promotion this season with the squad they have, even though they did lose some players in the transfer market like Crysencio Summerville.

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"They have enough and I think they are just missing that consistency at the moment, they will find that and should have enough to get into the top two."

United manager Farke bemoaned their lack of cutting edge in the final third after the Robins stalemate. "We always play to win, rather than avoid losing, and we did more than enough to win this game," he said.

“But we were not at our very best and were wasteful in front of goal. It was a very solid away performance, but we had so many good situations to score.

“If we had got one, it would have opened things up and I am sure more would have followed. But we are respectful of Bristol City, who have started the season well and are a very good side.

“There is frustration over not getting all three points. But it’s my belief that the best defence in a division always wins promotion, so I am delighted with a rock-solid performance."