This is like playing in the EUFA Cup/Europa League, or whatever it is called.
I bet the Football League (I hate the “EFL" rebranding) are fuming. They have colluded with Sky to f**k our fixtures about, in the hope that it would derail our promotion push.
I hope I ain’t speaking too soon but It’s beginning to look as though their cunning plan may have failed.
Look at our kick off times since the restart, compared to Fulham, Brentford and WBA’s. Not once have we played Friday night or Saturday lunchtime and been able to put pressure on our closest rivals.
I don’t believe this is just coincidence.
We’ve almost constantly been playing last and having to respond. We even had to play at Swansea on the Sunday to accommodate Sky.... then Sky decided not to televise the match. Unbelievable!!!
So far, our heroes have coped admirably with the extra pressure. Hopefully, this will continue.
If this goes down to the last match, I bet Sky and the Football League would make us play a day after everybody else, if they could get away with it!
The “EFL" obviously don’t want to see us promoted because we’re big box office for them. I can’t wait to say “Good Riddance" to them.
We’re not famous any more.
Thursday, Sunday; Thursday, Sunday
posted on 13/7/20
It’s no conspiracy. It’s just Sky. And Sky are only thinking about one thing. How to attract the most viewers to their channels. And they obviously feel showing the biggest game on the Sunday is the way to do it. And at the end of the day, that’s what Sky’s job is.
The problem is the contract that was agreed with Sky however many years ago. That Harvey signed. Obviously hasn’t given the football league or it’s clubs enough control over the fixtures rearrangements. Hopefully going forward the clubs will have more involvement and be able to request clauses in the contract that restrict Sky’s control.
Obviously all of the above is a problem, but it’s not a conspiracy.
posted on 13/7/20
Agree it's not a conspiracy. They have done it because we are the team in the position to lose something and it creates that element of competition and excitment. Because they can then say "WBA top after their win, can Leeds respond?" "Brentford closing down on top 2" etc.
And a good team should go and win their games regardless of when they play. But behind the scenes, I think the club have every right to complain as this has happened two years in a row. Sports psychologists suggest this does make a difference as it's extra motivation for Brentford playing earlier (gap looks smaller) and extra pressure for us playing later.
There should be an attempt to even it out, no reason why we couldn't have played Tuesday and Sat and Brentford do the Thursday Sunday. Only reason is it creates this competitive narrative that Sky want.
posted on 13/7/20
There is plenty of evidence to suggest that going second is more difficult. That is why they trialed the ABBA system for penalty shoot outs.
Teams going first in Shoot Outs have a 60% chance of winning against 40% for the teams going second. There is obviously a lot of data to for these stats on too. Does show the difference this makes mentally for the players and I would assume the same impact is felt in our situation of having to play after the other sides.
posted on 13/7/20
I agree it is not necessarily a plot by the EFL and Sky. However that does not mean to say that what they arecdoung us right or fair and it is absolutely valid to challenge it.
In many ways it would be fitting if despite this we get the job done. It has not been easy for Leeds every step of the way and the way this group of players and coaches have dealt with it is a credit to them.
posted on 13/7/20
*are doing is.
posted on 13/7/20
Did I read on here that the other teams at the top have had more rest days prior to games ? Can’t find the stats now: Leeds were -5
Which thread was it on?
posted on 13/7/20
Who pays the piper calls the tune
posted on 13/7/20
I think it is quite a positive, the boys knew what Pablo's goal meant. On Thursday if results have gone our way on Wednesday, a win will mean we are promoted. Just imagine that.
posted on 14/7/20
We know exactly what we need to do, and chances are, we will win promotion by us doing something rather than another team failing to get their points
I love that! I don't buy that we are under any extra pressure - we would have had to play the same teams and do what we have done regardless
The extra pressure is in our own minds
posted on 14/7/20
"The extra pressure is in our own minds"
The extra pressure is teams winning and you going to play knowing teams behind you have their hands up your ass waiting to rip you a new one!..
Its pressure that could be put on others but for reasons unknown to us TV has its way every time!..