MOT View: EFL have to shoulder blame for Leeds loss v Cardiff after unacceptable Phil Hay reveal
The post-mortem has been ongoing since Leeds United lost their first game back in the Championship.
With fans expecting a fast start and hoping for revenge after that infamous 3-3 draw with Cardiff back in December, the 2-0 loss came as a bit of a shock.
Leeds weren’t their usual selves. Passing was off, quality in the final third was poor, and key mistakes were made that led to both Cardiff goals.
The damage done was minimal after Fulham lost and West Brom drew but it puts even more pressure on the huge clash at Elland Road on Saturday.
We don’t think the blame lies just with the players though.
The EFL presented Leeds with a needless logistical challenge by putting the game on at midday on Sunday.
According to The Athletic journalist Phil Hay, the EFL gave Leeds “no advice about how they should manage the combination of a 230-mile journey to Wales and an early start.”
In the end, Leeds didn’t get their plans sorted until the last minute.
“Leeds looked at an overnight stay at the nearby Celtic Manor golf resort, down the M4, but learned it is largely mothballed and unable to accommodate them,” Hay added.
“They found an alternative at short notice, allowing them to fly down on Saturday afternoon.
“Bielsa was ready to take a plane to Cardiff on the morning of the game if circumstances required it, a much quicker transit than going by coach but a considerable break from his established pre-match routine.”
This really sticks in the craw.
Why were Leeds given a midday kick-off away at Cardiff when West Brom had a midlands derby with Birmingham at 3pm on Saturday?
Both games were televised on Sky so switching them wouldn’t have made any difference and would have made it much easier for Leeds.
And why didn’t the EFL provide any advice to Leeds following the release of the fixture schedule?
This is unacceptable at a time when clubs are facing real issues.
Not knowing when you’re travelling, or indeed how, is not the ideal preparation for your first game back and the EFL has to shoulder at least some of the blame for what happened on the pitch.
We’re confident that things will be different on Saturday.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Get rid’, ‘Don’t want to see him start again’ – Many Leeds fans blame one player for 2-0 defeat