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Leeds United chairman Ken Bates is relishing an exciting month ahead as the promotion race enters its final lap.

United's 4-1 win over Tranmere on Tuesday has strengthened our own position and the chairman is forecasting an interesting few weeks.

"Simon had said to me well before Tuesday night  that we've just got to keep calm and hold our nerve, and he was right," the chairman told Yorkshire Radio.

"Tuesday's win puts us points five clear and improves our goal difference which is worth another point.

"Gus Poyet's Brighton did us a favour on Monday when they got a result at Colchester, Swindon seem to be struggling a bit, Huddersfield have had a couple of bad results, and we should be looking forward to our remaining games with confidence.

"Every other club will have the same jitters at this stage of the season, but as Simon has always said, we're all in this together at Leeds and we will try to do it all together."

United now face a trip to Southampton on Saturday, a visit from Play-Off chasing old foes Millwall on March 22, and head for Norwich City on March 27 for what could be a potential title decider.

"The next few games will go some way to deciding both our fate and that of the three teams we play," said the chairman.

"The difference is the clubs we will be playing will be needing to win whereas a few of the clubs we have played recently have needed not to lose.

"That makes for lousy matches to watch, but these teams need points. They will have to come at us and it will be a more open game.

"We're as good as anybody, if not the best, but it takes two to tango. We've beaten Norwich and Southampton this season, but Millwall beat us there and Swindon, who still have to come here, also beat us, so we owe them one!

"By the time we go to Charlton in May we will be in the last stages of the season."

Saturday's opponents are widely regarded as one of the strongest teams in the division. Southampton have clawed back a 10-point deduction and, having found a good level of consistency, they have scored 10 goals in their last two home games.

They are still 16 points adrift of the Play-Offs, though, and must embark on a strong finish if they are to stand any chance of finishing in the top-six.

"It's going to be difficult for them but not impossible," added the chairman. 

"Teams playing each other may leave a gap for them to make a late run. That's one of the great things about football, you can never tell."

Hear more from Ken Bates on Yorkshire Radio at 5.30pm on Thursday...