It was confirmed last night that the Leeds United v Southampton game will be postponed to enable Shrewsbury to play their FA Cup tie – and fans are split on the news.
Athletic journalist Phil Hay revealed the news ahead of the official announcement and said that Leeds had agreed to the fixture being moved.
It means that the January schedule for Leeds has suddenly got a lot lighter, with no double gameweek upcoming and no FA Cup fourth-round match next weekend.
Leeds now play Brighton on Saturday before a 10-day gap to the Newcastle game and then Leicester on January 31.
Leeds v Southampton next week to be postponed to allow Southampton’s FA Cup tie against Shrewsbury to go ahead. Clubs in agreement.
With @dansheldonsport:https://t.co/LfOaSxpzCT
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) January 13, 2021
Fans lined up to react to Hay’s tweet with some annoyed that the game is being postponed.
We can only think that this is the disappointment at not getting to watch Leeds twice next week. And the prospect of falling behind in the fixture list – although Leeds aren’t in a bad position here.
However, it’s also mucked up the plans of a lot of FPL-playing Leeds fans whose plans are now in tatters with the Whites losing their double gameweek.
Ridiculous decision #lufc https://t.co/dpw8A5dDD3
— Super Leeds United (@superlufc1919) January 13, 2021
Shame 😔
— Lee Thompson (@lufcThommo) January 13, 2021
Shocking
— OptimisticLeedsFan “El Loco”💙💛 (@jonbarrett1968) January 13, 2021
There goes my bamford triple captain in fpl
— harrymcdermott 💛💙 🇮🇪 (@harrymc71652458) January 13, 2021
This has totally ballsed up my long term plan of three Leeds players for the double game week. Absolute joke. My @OfficialFPL is being shafted by Shrewsbury… 🤦🏻♂️
— 🏆 Adam Clark 🏆 (@addss2) January 13, 2021
However, there are plenty of Leeds fans who think that this is good news.
It certainly gives Leeds a much easier schedule in January than their rivals, with three very winnable games upcoming.
It also gives Diego Llorente more time to get fully fit for the Newcastle game.
And, if the rumours are true, it might mean that Illan Meslier only misses one game.
Here are the reactions from Leeds fans who think that the postponement is positive news…
I suppose it gives us more time for people to come back from injuries
— gary smith (@whenitmattered) January 13, 2021
More rest which has good get everyone nice and fit for the remainder of the season, koch March was it? Any news on berardi?
— Robert James (@Robjkas10) January 13, 2021
Will help the Elland Road pitch further and hopefully get Cooper & Llorente fully fit. Any Forshaw update?
— Jonny Hardie (@jphardie84) January 13, 2021
Thank Christ. Another game of recovery for a centre back. Works for me Phillip.
— Jop (@jopdaws) January 13, 2021
Good news . Llorente gets more miles in his legs.
— Paps (@coophos) January 13, 2021
The Southampton game will have to be rearranged but Leeds have plenty of midweek slots available later in the season.
We’re in a much better position than other clubs, like Aston Villa, who are falling behind their fixtures and will have a packed schedule.
They might be facing further postponements this week and face a very different second half of the season to Leeds.
In other Leeds United news, Kieran Maguire makes big claim about new 49ers investment in Leeds
