There was a feeling of inevitability as league leaders Wolves turned up at Elland Road on Wednesday night.

Defeat looked like it was on the cards even before a ball was kicked following the dismal rollover against Middlesbrough the previous week.

And so it proved, as another 3-0 defeat was handed to us on plate.

Since sacking Thomas Christiansen at the beginning of February, the Whites have tumbled down the table with just the one win to Heckingbottom’s name, but as we head into this weekend’s trip to Berkshire to face Reading, at least we know one thing……

The Royals are a lot worse.

Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam is the man at the helm of Reading and after winning many accolades for guiding Reading to the playoff final last season, it appears that less than a year later the wheels have fallen off.

Eighteenth the Royals sit heading into the weekend and just five points off the drop zone with just eight wins to their name all season.

This makes our 14 look like wonderland, and there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic as Leeds head to the Madjeski Stadium.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell

The 21-year-old shot stopper was a shining light in a less than impressive display on Wednesday night.

An injury to Andy Lonergan and atrocious performances of late from Felix Wiedwald thrust Farrell into the spotlight and the academy graduate delivered a man of the match performance in a game that without him would have easily been five or six.

Reading’s Form

If we thought our record of five points from our last five was bad, then spare a thought for Reading.

The Royals have managed just three points in the same period and have not won a game in all competitions since the end of January.

Were not THAT bad at the Mad Stad

The Royals may have won the last two meetings between the two including that win at Elland Road in October, but we have picked up four points from our last three trips to Berkshire which included that comfortable 2-0 win back in 2015.

Although we may be clutching at straws somewhat, the game against Reading is a real chance to instil some pride back into Leeds and a test of exactly where we are as a club this season.

The playoffs are gone, and relegation is not really on the radar so now it is time for Heckingbottom to show us what he can do ahead of a vital campaign in 2018/19.

And it all starts at Reading.