OUR Football League safety has been assured but elsewhere it is building up to a fascinating end to the season with lots still to be decided.

During the recent Easter programme it is normal for a lot of promotion and relegation issues to become clearer but for all supporters of football the next few weeks promise to be exciting.

Starting in the Premiership, it has turned into a three-horse race between Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool for the title.

As tends to happen, teams that have been in with a shout for much of the campaign can fall away badly at this time and unfortunately for Yorkshire-folk that seems to have happened to Leeds United.

Arsenal are currently in pole position and I can't help feeling this will be their year, mainly because the other two are still involved so heavily in the Champions League.

Although I am writing this column prior to Liverpool's first leg quarter-final tie last night, I wouldn't bet against a United v Liverpool semi-final.

Although Arsenal are still involved in the FA Cup it is only one game and the injuries picked up by United's David Beckham and Roy Keane against Deportivo La Coruna could prove a fatal blow to United's domestic ambitions.

At the opposite end of the table, Leicester and, I believe, Derby are doomed with any one of Fulham, Bolton, Ipswich and Blackburn in danger of joining them.

In Division One, Manchester City are virtually there but it promises to be a tight tussle between Wolves and West Brom for the remaining automatic spot.

Wolves have been clear for much of the season but are stumbling and I wouldn't back against West Brom clinching second place.

The battle for the play-offs in Division One is really intense with eight teams battling it out for the one remaining promotion ticket. Wimbledon, in tenth spot, are still in with a shout if they win their game in hand.

It is too close to call who will actually go up via the play-offs, but having been up there all season it may just be that Burnley falter at the final hurdle.

At the bottom, it is again too close to call. Stockport are obviously down but Crewe, who are second-bottom, have games in hand while Walsall had a very good win over Nottingham Forest on Monday and with Stockport to play this weekend could make up some valuable ground.

I would think Sheffield Wednesday are safe, but I also think one of the three teams just outside the drop zone - Rotherham, Barnsley and Grimbsy - will go down.

In Division Two, Brighton have got to be the favourites now they are top but Reading, having been looking odds-on for so long, are wobbling just like so many teams in their position tend to do.

Brentford are closing in fast and the fact they play Reading in the last game of the season could prove crucial.

Whoever misses out will have to be satisfied with the play-offs and I would suggest at least there we have some clarity.

I'm glad to see my former club Huddersfield Town bouncing back from last season's relegation and they look sure to be joined by Stoke and Cardiff alongside either Brentford or Reading in the play-offs.

At the bottom, Cambridge are down and I would expect Wrexham and Bournemouth to join us in Division Three with Bury, Notts County and Northampton still fighting for survival.

In Division Three, Plymouth and Luton are already promoted while Cheltenham have come with a strong run to make a good claim for the last remaining automatic spot.

Mansfield are on a downward spiral and so will have to accept a play-off spot as consolation.

Rushden and Diamonds are also finishing the season strongly with Rochdale hanging on in there alongside Scunthorpe.

It was an important win for Shrewsbury the other night and leaves them still fighting for the last remaining play-off berth.

Of course, our safety maybe assured but I cannot stress enough how we have still got much to play for.

I want us to finish higher than last season's 17th and with more points than the 52 of last year.

And the fact we have still got Mansfield and Scunthorpe to play means we could have a very big part to play in the Division Three promotion race.

Updated: 12:39 Thursday, April 04, 2002