A group of Leeds United supporters have been discussing the latest update on the Championship’s proposed restart after it was shared by John Percy of The Telegraph on Twitter.
It was recently announced that the competition would kick off again on 20 June, but after discussions the EFL have agreed to remove the first midweek game of the new schedule, meaning the clubs will only have to play twice that week, rather than three times (as per The Telegraph). Midweek games are set to be introduced from the start of July.
The EFL’s plan is to have all league fixtures completed by 22 July, allowing for the play-off final to take place in early August. Here is how a sample of the Elland Road faithful have responded to the update.
Update on Championship restart: season WILL start on June 20 (despite some opposition) but EFL has agreed to remove the first midweek game, so only 2 games in first week and not 3. Season to finish on 21/22 July with play-off final in early August
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) June 3, 2020
— ALP (@adamlpi) June 3, 2020
Nanananana Leeds are going up, going up …
— Lboro White (@LeeDriver71) June 3, 2020
Let’s have it @liamdwaddell
— Dan (@danjmh) June 3, 2020
Good news
— Daniel Waters (@Dwatersgk1) June 3, 2020
— Dan? (@DanPaton5) June 3, 2020
Do you have concerns regarding Leeds' fitness ahead of the Championship's restart?
Yes
No
One fan made their concerns known regarding the fitness of Marcelo Bielsa’s squad and the warmer conditions as the season spills over into the summer months. The Whites are currently top of the Championship, a point clear of West Bromwich Albion, but more significantly, they’ve managed to build a seven-point lead over Fulham in third place as they look to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League. The Yorkshire-based club were relegated from the top flight at the end of the 2003/04 season and are yet to return.
No fitness & sweltering summer = unpredictable results! #scary
— FIRST LIGHT (@Orangemankw) June 3, 2020
No problem with fitness only lack off match practice but I’m sure we will be better prepared than a lot of teams ?
— Stephen Craggs (@joffos18) June 3, 2020
In our view, the concern regarding the differing playing conditions is a valid one. Games will be played behind closed doors, so you could argue that the form book will go out of the window, while under normal circumstances, the season would never be played during the summer months – which leaves a fresh air of unpredictability. Leeds United will be hoping to adapt to the circumstances and march on towards the promised land of the Premier League with just nine fixtures to play.