A month ago, we were still being talked about as serious challengers to Manchester United for the Premiership crown. Now, following yesterday's results and as a consequence of our drastic slip in form, the Reds have already claimed the Championship, with four games to spare. Meanwhile, we have not only slipped out of the Champions League placings for the first time since September, but are even contemplating missing out on Europe via the UEFA Cup.

Of course, not all is lost. Despite going out of Europe in midweek against Galatasaray, we produced a battling display which showed there's still plenty of spirit left in the side. What's more, if we can get through today's tricky looking game, we have four reasonable matches remaining - against Watford and Everton at home and Sheffield Wednesday and West Ham away. Five wins (a tall order, I know!) might just see us regain that top three slot.

Today's match at St James' Park always looked like being the last of five potentially awkward games -and so it has proved. However, O'Leary will no doubt take heart from the fact that the Geordies have major injury problems and are on something of a slump themselves at the moment, having lost their last three games.

Bobby Robson's biggest dilemna this afternoon is that both keepers, Shay Given and Steve Harper, are struggling for fitness. He is also likely to be without Duncan Ferguson, Temuri Ketsbaia, Nikos Dabizas, Kevin Gallagher, Alain Goma, and Paul Robinson, whilst Norberto Solano is away with Peru.

Leeds two biggest doubts are in defence, with Gary Kelly still suffering from the groin injury that kept him out in midweek, and Lucas Radebe still trying to shake off the knee injury that almost prevented him from turning out as Galatasaray. Both would be badly missed although Mills had probably his best game yet against the Turks and Alfie has yet to let us down wherever he plays and would be an adequate replacement for the Chief in the centre of defence.

The weekend's results so far have been in our favour, with Liverpool, Chelsea and Villa all dropping points unexpectedly. Let's hope we can make the most of it this afternoon, especially as it is difficult to see Arsenal slipping up at Watford.