Jeff Stelling shares ‘Massive’ Leeds United test with promotion already
Leeds United face a “massive test” to compete and stay in the Premier League if and when they’re promoted, Jeff Stelling has said.
Speaking on talkSPORT (20 January, 7:50am), Stelling and Ally McCoist praised the “quality goals” in their 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, which sent them back to the top of the Championship.
However, given that last season’s promoted sides Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton occupy the bottom three places in the Premier League, the two pundits feared for the Whites.
Stelling: “They are top of the pile – and by the way, they scored some great goals yesterday. Absolute quality goals, it was a brilliant performance.
“But it’ll be a massive test for them, if and when they go up, a massive test for them in the Premier League – we’re seeing what’s happening this season.”
McCoist added: “Course it will, and the season before it happened – that’s where we are at this moment in time Jeff, it’s so difficult for the promoted sides.”
Leeds United must avoid Premier League mistakes of the past
The Whites are undoubtedly well placed to seal their return to the top flight at the second time of asking, having come within one goal of promotion in last season’s play-off final against Southampton.
Failure to re-book their place at the top table cost United dearly last summer as Premier League-related release clauses led to Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter all departing.
However, those clauses – and the loan debacle which dominated the summer of 2023, are all repercussions of the fact that while a Premier League club, the Peacocks simply failed to capitalise.
Not building on a superb first season back under Marcelo Bielsa led to the driving force of the entire club being sacked, and months later, Jesse Marsch was given £100million to spend on inadequate players.
Most of those players are now long gone, yet there is hope, that under the tutelage of 49ers Enterprises, and potentially in a new-look, redeveloped Elland Road, the Whites can truly build second time around.
In other Leeds news, Daniel Farke could axe one of his key men when the Whites host Norwich City in their next match.
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