‘Unfair’ – Slaven Bilic holds same stance on Sky Sports decision as many Leeds fans
West Brom manager Slaven Bilic believes that Sky Sports’ scheduling is “unfair” on both the Baggies and Leeds United.
The Championship’s top-two clubs always seem to play after third-placed Brentford do, meaning that there is added pressure on them to respond to the Bees’ impressive run of form.
Brentford beat Charlton on Tuesday to move within two points of West Brom for 24 hours before they beat Derby on Wednesday.
Leeds are three points clear of the London club as they prepare to take on Stoke on Thursday and it’s not the first time something like this has happen.
Many Leeds fans have made it clear that they are unhappy with Sky’s decision to broadcast Brentford games first and Bilic clearly isn’t a fan either.
“The guys below us are putting the pressure on us and Leeds. We don’t put the pressure on each other,” said the former West Ham manager, as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“It’s normal to feel the pressure, especially when you have your direct opponents playing a day before – especially when they’re doing great.
“It’s a little bit unfair that they’re playing before us every time, so it puts a lot more pressure onto us. The only thing we can do is respond in the way we did.”
Since the season restarted, Brentford have not played a single match Leeds have and the two clubs have only played at the same time as each other on one occasion.
Sky’s scheduling led to one fan saying that it’s “rigged” for Leeds to miss out on promotion to the Premier League.
There are conspiracy theories out there that say the EFL will do anything in their power to stop the Whites winning promotion because they’re a big source of revenue in the Championship.
But Sky Sports schedule the games for television. Why would they benefit from applying pressure on Leeds?
If anything, Sky might want Leeds back in the Premier League because it will be a massive thing for them to talk about next season and who wouldn’t want to see Marcelo Bielsa leading a side in the top-flight?
Bilic’s comments show that there is an issue that needs to be addressed here but it is probably too late and it’s not as though Brentford’s kick-off time is having that much of an effect on the Baggies after they impressed versus Derby.
In other Leeds United news, Michael O’Neil has made a big admission about Leeds ahead of the clash versus Stoke.