Jonathan Douglas is hoping Leeds United can prove the critics wrong during the course of the final 12 games of the season.

United have been labelled a "soft touch" at times this season, but after beating promotion rivals Scunthorpe last weekend and coming from behind to take a point at fellow rivals Oldham on Monday, Dougie is hoping the squad have dispelled a myth.

"It is close at the top," the Irishman told LUTV.

"I don't think we should fear anyone. We played well in both games last weekend, particularly coming from behind so quickly at Oldham.

"Some people have said we are a soft touch at times, but we proved on Monday night we're not and we have to keep proving people wrong.

"Any team you play is battling at this stage whether they are at the bottom or the top.

"We know we have our hands full, but we also know we can get results against the top teams. There's pressure on everyone now - Peterborough are in second place at the moment, but we're capable of going on a run. It's still in our sights.

"We've got Bristol Rovers on Saturday and we're looking for another result to keep things going.

"We play a couple more sides who are up there later on in the season and have to pick up points against them."

During his four years at United, it's the first time Dougie has been asked to play at the back on a regular basis, and he says he is adapting.

"It's been okay," he explained. "I played there at Blackburn years ago. It's taken time to get used to it, and Robert Snodgrass in front has helped me a lot.

"I've worked with the manager before and he knows I've done it before so I had a guess I would play there.

"It is a case of needs must, but you have to enjoy it. There's worse things in life than playing football!"

The Republic of Ireland international is out of contract at the end of the season, but he insists he focused on current events on the field.

"I'm up at the end of the season," he added on LUTV. "I haven't been offered anything, but we'll wait and see at the end of the season.

"I'd like to stay, especially if we go up, but that's not my decision, it's out of my hands. I can only do what I can do on the pitch.

"The manager has other things on his mind at the moment instead of worrying about other peoples contracts!

"Theres a long way to go and hopefully I will get one. I'm just concentrating on the games we have left and the points we have to play for."

See more from Jonathan Douglas on LUTV...