Gary O'Neil delivers verdict on Leeds & West Brom getting handed promotion

Dave is a huge Leeds fan and ardent disciple of Bielsa ball. A career in print magazines that included editing PC Zone, launching PokerPlayer and redesigning The Big Issue has finally led Dave to writing about the love of his life, Leeds United. It’s been a tough 2020 but the single scariest moment was the first quarter of the game against Man City. Rodrigo will be the saviour this season.

Published on:

16 Mar 2020, 5:31 am

talkSPORT pundit Gary O'Neil has said it wouldn't be right to just promote Leeds United and West Brom without finishing the season.

All Championship games have been suspended until April 3 at the earliest, and there's little hope that games will resume then.

Leeds are top of the Championship and there's a seven-point buffer back to Fulham in third.

However, with nine games left in the season, neither Leeds nor West Brom are mathematically assured of a top-two spot yet.

Talking on the Jim White Show (talkSPORT, Monday, 10am) O'Neil said, "I think if it gets really extreme, like a six-month delay, they might have to null and void the season.

"But, at the moment, talking about ending a season without finishing it, and then starting a new one will create huge problems.

"I can’t see why we can’t just move everything back three months, maybe scrap replays next season, there’s always a way you can make a season shorter."

Asked by Jim White if Leeds and West Brom should be handed promotion O'Neil said, "They’re not safe yet. What about Fulham? Do we bring then up too?

"I don’t think you can nominate two teams to get promoted. The best idea, if we can manage it, when it's safe for the players and the public is to finish the season. Finish the season when it's safe and then move onto next season when it’s finished."

It's easy as a Leeds fan to say we should be promoted irrespective of what happens to the rest of the season.

We'd obviously love that more than any other scenario.

Is it fair to Fulham? Do we care? Ultimately, we just can't see it happening.

We think playing the rest of the season is the most important thing now. We're 100% convinced that Leeds will get promoted if the rest of the fixtures are played out.

The irony is that if we'd beaten Cardiff and then Fulham on Wednesday, we'd have pretty much secured promotion.

The fact it's that close is leading to some fans losing their minds but playing the rest of the fixtures, whenever that is, is the only proper way forward.

In other Leeds United news, 'It's official', 'Unbelievable' – These Leeds fans react to official club Twitter update

Leeds United

Gary O'Neil