Leeds boss Sam Allardyce fears securing Premier League survival will be a “big deal” especially if injured attackers Patrick Bamford and Rodrygo are unfit for next week’s final game against Tottenham Contest.

Even that won’t be enough if Everton win their last game against Bournemouth or if Leicester take four points from their last two games.

back 3-1 defeat at West Ham on Sunday, Former Manchester City defender Mika Richards told Sky Sports: “Leeds are looking terrible at the moment. It’s devastating for them.”

Defender Luke Ayling insists Leeds still have a “slim” chance of staying up. But Allardyce believes it will depend on the minutes played by Bamford, who was substituted in the first half against West Ham with a hamstring injury, and Rodrygo, who was eventually substituted with a foot injury. .

“If both are missing, that’s a big problem. Facts,” he said. “I can’t hide that. I might have to play a whole different system.”

‘I’m not crazy – I just love football’

Allardyce concluded his post-match press conference by saying he “hoped” that any post-season discussions with Leeds management would be with the Elland Road club, who are still in the Premier League, underscoring the trouble they are facing.

“A lot of people said I was crazy to take the job,” he said. “I’m not mad. I love football and it’s a big job you can’t turn down, no matter how short it is.”

Erin knows the predicament Leeds United are in. But despite many visiting supporters leaving the London Stadium before the end, the defender remained optimistic about the situation.

“There’s still a little bit of hope. We have to grab that,” he said. “We just have to go out there next week and try to take care of our business.

“We know it’s a slim chance, but we’ve got to hang on and try to get out there in a good way because the fans deserve it.”

‘We lack quality at both ends’

The problem for Leeds is Allardyce What went wrong against West Ham.

Leeds got off to a strong start, with Rodrygo’s goal giving the visitors the lead and briefly lifting them out of the relegation zone.

But they failed to make the most of a fine start and were too good when West Ham got into top form.

“When we were only 1-0 up after 15 minutes, after we played so well, I knew it was going to be tough considering we were trying to keep a clean sheet for a long time,” Allardyce said. .

“Our quality at both ends is what we lacked, defending better and creating more chances. Those two key areas let us down in particular, and when you’re looking for your replacements to make a difference, they didn’t have either. “

Allardyce said he knew what was wrong with Leeds and, with more than 1,000 games played, knew how to correct it.

But whether he was asked about it is another matter entirely, after Javi Gracia was brought in to salvage a desperate situation following the dismissal of Jesse Marsch, winning just one point from three games.