Former Leeds United star Noel Whelan has bemoaned the Whites letting a goal difference gap with promotion rivals Sheffield United develop.
With the Whites and the Blades battling for the second automatic promotion spot in the Championship, Whelan's former side suffered a big blow on Good Friday with a shock defeat at home against Wigan Athletic.
Leeds' slipped to third with the result and their goal difference to Sheffield United was further dented as the Blades beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 on the same day.
Sheffield United are now six goals to the good in goal difference with Leeds and Whelan admits with things so tight, it could be the difference.
"It's been the case in many games this season that we've just not been ruthless enough in front of goal", he said on BBC Radio Leeds following the Wigan loss.
"[We’ve been] squandering chances and good opportunities.
"Times like this when the league is so tight, goal difference might be that difference to going up automatically or going into the playoffs."
As a result, Whelan thinks Leeds absolutely must bounce back by beating Brentford on Easter Monday, with the goal difference like an extra point for Sheffield United.
"They've got to go to Brentford and get a win.
"The points now are OK, but you look at the goal difference and that is an extra point.
"So they've got to go to Brentford and do what they've not done for quite a while, which is win there.
"There's no time to feel sorry for yourself at this stage of the season. You've got to show that character and that bounce-back-ability at Brentford", he added.
Sheffield United and Leeds have both picked up 82 points from 43 league games so far.
