Leeds still keen to finish 2019/2020 season

01 May 2020 07:55 am, by Ellandback1


Good Morning. It's Friday 1st May, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...


Could Leeds be crowned Champions without kicking another ball?

Multiple media sources, including the Yorkshire Evening Post have strongly suggested that the only season with a realistic chance of being completed is the Premier League! The vast amount of obstacles in the way of fulfilling the fixtures in the lower divisions apparently does not make it a viable option, and the football hierarchy want to solely concentrate on ensuring the remaining 92 games in the Premiership are completed.

This is great news for Whites fans. It means three clubs from the top tier must be relegated. If three clubs go down, three clubs from the Championship must go up! Leeds are a point clear of West Brom at the summit of the Championship table on 71 points, and 7 points clear of third place Fulham. What model will the EFL use to determine the final Championship table?

To be honest, unless its rock, paper, scissors it doesn't matter. Every possibility has been explored, and it's good news for the Whites. The Athletic's Phil Hay has also written a similar article this morning. He believes that the Championship will be decided on a points per game basis. When you work this out, Leeds would finish the season on 88 points, with West Brom on 87 and Fulham third on 80 points. Nottingham Forest and Brentford are a further five points behind on 75 points.





Kinnear still keen to complete fixtures

Leeds Utd Managing Director Angus Kinnear took part in a private conference call, along with his fellow Championship Directors and it seems that they all share the same goal - completing the season!

The Championship clubs, along with the Premier League and EFL are working hard in tandem. I know that they are benchmarking the strategies of leagues across Europe and how they intend to return to play. I know they want to put a testing programme in place. I don’t think it has been costed yet, but I know they feel confident that is something they can deliver.

We have to rely on the commitment of all of the clubs to do the right thing and to try and finish the league, which I have to say, collectively, certainly in the Championship, there is a real belief that is the right thing to do. So, I’m hoping, in these exceptional circumstances, clubs and leagues, and UEFA will be prepared to take some exceptional measures and rely on the commitment of players as well to put football first.




Kinnear reveals how they persuaded Bielsa to join Leeds

In another interview; this time with Sky Sports, Angus Kinnear has been speaking to Sky Sports about how they managed to persuade Bielsa to take the Elland Road hot seat.

It was really the brainchild of our director of football, Victor Orta, who was asked by our owner, Andrea Radrizzani, if he could appoint anybody in the world, who would he appoint? When he said the name, I just smiled to myself, but our owner is nothing if not lacking in ambition.

And when we went to Buenos Aires to speak to Marcelo, I thought we would have to do a really big sell in terms of the potential, the project and what Leeds United could become, and the part he could play. But in fact, he had already done his research and committed to the cause.

So, we actually spent the 24 hours in Buenos Aires just talking about the players and systems, and how he wanted to play. I left knowing he would be the manager of Leeds United, but not having the contract that I went over to get signed.



View all Showing latest five comments of sixteen...

DavidH wrote on 02 May 2020 08:33 am

It seems the pragmatic solution is to not play again this season, but the Prem/EFL are afraid of possible legal claims from those clubs in line to lose lots of money from the decision. I think the following would work, but would need the agreement of the players and staff, as it would affect them most. It can apply to all teams to finish the season, or just those in the play-off positions - the top two already having been awarded promotion.

Each involved club, takes their players and staff to an otherwise unoccupied hotel(s). Camps are set up there, everyone social distances and no outsiders are allowed in. After 14 days, it will be clear if all are clear of the virus. If anyone tests positive, they are sent home. The fact they have social distanced should ensure it has not been passed on. At that point, games can be played, knowing everyone is free of the virus, and this would remain the same as long as they remain in a bubble that excludes anyone who has not "quarantined" for 14 days. With the numbers involved, it clearly would be much easier to organise if it were just play-off teams involved.

The players/staff are being asked a lot though, as, in effect, they are taken away from their families for a period of time. But it's one way out of a very messy situation

gessa wrote on 01 May 2020 10:08 pm

1964white wrote on 01 May 2020 07:38 pm

Cjay wrote: Fri May 01, 2020 6:26 pm Never liked the idea of us just being given promotion, would feel like we hadn't properly earned it.

However playing out the season doesnt feel right anymore.

So imo games in hand should be played in all leagues.

None in the Championship to play so us and WBA go up (if WBA care that much we could play eachother for top spot).

The playoffs go ahead and the winner of those go up with the top 2 from each division.

Once any games in hand are played the tables are counted as they are so bottom 3 go down (bit harsh on someone like Bournemouth who are only in the relegation places on goal difference) but bottom line is they only have themselves to blame.

In the Prem Villa and Sheffield United play eachother in the game in hand (both need a win to achieve Europe or survive so that would be competitive.

I think its the fairest way.
Good post on your return CJay.....agree :tup:

Muppet the Cat wrote on 01 May 2020 07:06 pm

Cjay wrote: Fri May 01, 2020 6:26 pm Never liked the idea of us just being given promotion, would feel like we hadn't properly earned it.

However playing out the season doesnt feel right anymore.

So imo games in hand should be played in all leagues.

None in the Championship to play so us and WBA go up (if WBA care that much we could play eachother for top spot).

The playoffs go ahead and the winner of those go up with the top 2 from each division.

Once any games in hand are played the tables are counted as they are so bottom 3 go down (bit harsh on someone like Bournemouth who are only in the relegation places on goal difference) but bottom line is they only have themselves to blame.



In the Prem Villa and Sheffield United play eachother in the game in hand (both need a win to achieve Europe or survive so that would be competitive.

I think its the fairest way.
I'd agree with that Cjay :tup:

Cjay wrote on 01 May 2020 06:26 pm

Never liked the idea of us just being given promotion, would feel like we hadn't properly earned it.

However playing out the season doesnt feel right anymore.

So imo games in hand should be played in all leagues.

None in the Championship to play so us and WBA go up (if WBA care that much we could play eachother for top spot).

The playoffs go ahead and the winner of those go up with the top 2 from each division.

Once any games in hand are played the tables are counted as they are so bottom 3 go down (bit harsh on someone like Bournemouth who are only in the relegation places on goal difference) but bottom line is they only have themselves to blame.

In the Prem Villa and Sheffield United play eachother in the game in hand (both need a win to achieve Europe or survive so that would be competitive.

I think its the fairest way.