Leeds United slipped to their 20th defeat of the Championship campaign as they were beaten 2-1 by Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday.
The Whites looked to be promotion contenders at the beginning of the campaign – they even topped the standings in September – but a dreadful run of form over the course of the last six months has seem them slide down the table, which has left them 15 points from the play-off positions with one fixture left to play.
Considering they are just 16 points above the relegation zone, they could conceivably end the campaign closer to the bottom three than the top six, and that is not good enough for the Yorkshire outfit.
Whether Paul Heckingbottom keeps his job or not after winning just three of his 15 league matches in charge so far, it is clear that the Whites need to go back to square one this summer if they are to progress next term.
That process will include getting rid of some of the deadwood from their squad, and may well include players that have been regulars in the starting XI this season.
Here are three players Leeds must sell this summer to freshen things up…
The 26-year-old may well be Leeds United’s captain, but many would argue whether he should be a regular starter in the first place – especially if the Yorkshire outfit re-sign Kyle Bartley this summer.
The centre-back has let his side down with two red cards and the subsequent suspensions this season, and while he is clearly a leader he has lacked quality at times when he has been in the XI.
If Leeds want to progress they need to find a better partner than Cooper for Jansson, who Whites fans on Twitter would prefer to be club captain, and he should be moved on at the end of the campaign.
Phillips scored a brilliant goal in the 2-1 defeat against Norwich City on Saturday, but it was a far-too-rare moment of brilliance from the midfielder.
While the 22-year-old netted against the Canaries and got a brace in the win against Bolton Wanderers on the opening day of the season, he hasn’t shown anywhere near enough quality and consistency to say that he has a long-term future at Elland Road.
With Adam Forshaw a step above and Ronaldo Vieira one for the future, Phillips should be one of the central midfielders shown through the exit door this summer.
Having scored 18 goals in 42 appearances during a loan spell with Partizani Tirana last season, Leeds would have hoped that they had found their new prolific goalscorer when they brought him to Elland Road.
However, the 24-year-old has struggled with injury and when he has been given plenty of opportunities in the side since Paul Heckingbottom took over in February, he has failed to make much of an impact and doesn’t look suited to the division.
In fact, he has netted just one goal in 19 Championship appearances for the Whites this term, and he should be moved on to make room for a new striker this summer.
Do you agree, Leeds fans? Let us know below.