Phil Hay delivers verdict on whether Leeds will get Guard of Honour from Derby
Leeds United fans are focused on one thing and one thing only at the moment – promotion out of this beautiful but horrible league.
However, at the back of the mind, everyone’s hoping that events could transpire that would see Leeds crowned champions before going onto the pitch at Pride Park on Sunday.
Which brings up the glorious possibility of getting a Guard of Honour from Derby, the team that mocked us after knocking us out of the play-offs last season.
It could happen. If Leeds win tonight, and West Brom and Brentford drop points in their games on Friday and Saturday, the lead at the top would be unassailable.
However, even if it does happen, The Athletic journalist Phil Hay thinks the chances of getting a Guard of Honour from our rivals are “very, very slim”.
Talking in a Q&A ahead of the Barnsley game, Hay said, “Win tonight and it is possible for Leeds to be promoted Friday night, Saturday afternoon, Sunday – or still on the last day of the season.
“I think this is one of the reasons for the stress. The fixture list is so all over the place that no-one has a gut feeling for exactly when the day will come.
“Oh, and the chances of a guard of honour at Derby are very, very slim. If you were Derby, you’d point to social distancing as the obvious get-out.”
Guard of Honour?
Would the excuse of social distancing wash?
We don’t think so, given that teams have been giving Liverpool a Guard of Honour before each of their Premier League games.
Using social distancing as an excuse before playing football seems weak anyway.
Would Derby want to do it? That’s the real question and while we’d absolutely love it, it ultimately doesn’t make any difference.
Playing Derby knowing we’re promoted would be reward enough and would let us play without any pressure.
That would give us the chance to exact glorious revenge for the travesty of last season.
A Guard of Honour would be the cherry on top but would our fans want the Leeds players giving Derby one on Sunday if they were champions?
If Pontus Jansson was still at Elland Road he’d definitely have something to say about that.
Anyway, first things first – let’s get the three points tonight before making plans for Derby.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Wow’ – BBC 5 Live pundit delivers Leeds top-two verdict if Brentford & WBA win rest of games