Is this where it all went wrong? One defeat in 23 games to start off the season.17 wins in those 23 games. Eight points clear at the top of League One at the turn of the year and staring a return to the Championship right in the face.
Then January 3rd 2010 happened. What was viewed at the time as the greatest day in Leeds United history since reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2001 has since become yet another dark day in the recent history of Leeds United Football Club.
Four wins in 17 games since that day have seen Leeds lose that eight point lead at the top of League One and, following last weeks 2-0 home defeat to Millwall, stare another post season Play-Off campaign catching up on them in the rear view mirror.
Former Leeds striker and BBC Radio Leeds summariser Andy Ritchie believes the win at Old Trafford and the two subsequent fourth-round ties with Tottenham have affected the side.
"Their form since the Cup exploits has been very patchy," admitted Ritchie. "Some of the players are looking jaded. It looks as though the FA Cup run has taken its toll.
"When Leeds were on song early on, whatever teams did to them they had the energy and pep to still go and out-pass them, but this last month they have looked very tired.”
This Cup run is proving to be the undoing of Leeds’ promotion campaign as they look to get out of League One at the third time of asking.
Players like Bradley Johnson, Jonny Howson and Leigh Bromby, who had been playing so well before the Man Utd game, have been handing in sub-par performances in recent weeks and injuries to key players like Patrick Kisnorbo and Jermaine Beckford have not helped their cause.
Beckford’s transfer speculation throughout January did not help the team either but they should be over that by now. Beckford it would seem is not though. Five goals in twelve games since hitting his winner against Manchester United is not the form of a player who thinks he will be playing in the premiership next season and it is not the form of a star player aiming to get his team out of the third tier of English football.
But as Ritchie explains: "They are not a one-man team and they must have replacements for Beckford to come in and do the business."
It is the same in defence where a dip in form and injuries has seen what was once the meanest defence in English football cough up goals at an alarming rate. Prior to beating Man Utd, Leeds were conceding an average of 0.59 goals per game but that has now jumped to 1.56 and seen Leeds lose points against weaker teams that they were beating by two and three goals before the turn of the year.
Anyone who has watched Leeds over recent months - and certainly anyone who witnessed the display during Monday's 2-0 defeat by promotion-rivals Millwall - will testify to a team bereft of confidence.
The same players who had a swagger in their step prior to the Man Utd game are now hitting loose passes, unable to defend simple balls and have not scored a goal in the opening 45 minutes of a game in over 5 weeks.
Simon Grayson has attempted to galvanise his squad with a number of loan signings but they have not worked out as hoped. Gary McSheffrey and Shane Lowry arrived from premiership sides Birmingham and Aston Villa but neither has put in any performances to suggest that even a Championship club will attempt to sign them this coming summer, let alone that Leeds will want to keep them.
The other main signing from the January window was that of Max Gradel. Following his impressive displays when on loan from Leicester earlier in the season the Leeds fans called for him to be signed up but since his transfer was made permanent he has been phoning in his performances and not putting in the same kind of displays which made him club player of the month last November.
Leeds' struggles on the pitch have led to frustration among an expectant fan base that is never shy in voicing their frustration, increasing the burden on the players at a time of the season when pressure is already high.
"Performing for any big club, you have to have special attributes and be strong in certain situations and not allow things to affect you," explains Ritchie.
"You know you may get the wrath of the fans, but that happens everywhere. If fans aren't happy, they let you know."
Automatic promotion does remain in Leeds own hands as they still hold onto second place over fierce rivals Millwall following their unlucky 1-0 defeat today against Norwich. The team played with a confidence that has been missing for the past few weeks against the league leaders today but Norwich stole victory at the end to more or less seal their promotion back to the Championship at the first time if asking.
Up next is Swindon Town, who Leeds lost to 3-0 in February, and only a win will do as Millwall have been winning games at a fantastic rate lately and will really put the pressure on the Yorkshire giants.
