MOT View: West Brom chief interview is warning Leeds must take seriously
Leeds United will resume their Championship campaign in less than two weeks’ time but while they have a big gap to third place behind them, second-placed West Brom are only within a point.
Leeds overtook the Baggies to take top-spot just before the season was brought to a halt by the coronavirus pandemic and you can bet that Slaven Bilic’s side want the number one position back as soon as possible.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men have jostled for position with West Brom almost all season and while finishing in the top-two is good enough for Leeds fans, it would be a whole lot more comfortable if we go up as champions as soon as possible.
However, it seems that the Baggies also share that view with technical director Luke Dowling saying that his side are raring to go and are at the level where they’re ready to play as early as next weekend.
“Where we are fitness-wise and mentally, we’re in a really good place. It wouldn’t scare me if we were playing next weekend,” Dowling told Sky Sports’ The Football Show, as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“I’ve heard different clubs who agree or don’t agree with that start date, I think the best thing they’ve done is taking out that midweek game between the 20th and the 27th, which gives teams a week training then going into the second game.
“Our sports science team I can’t praise enough. In that period where the players were at home and training on their own, they were on the scene daily and keeping their fitness levels up.
“That’s why I’m confident that we can hit the ground running because we have been on top of the players since the Swansea game, which is the last game we played.”
West Brom have already overtaken Leeds in terms of their preparation for the season restarting.
On Saturday, Bilic’s men travelled to Villa Park and drew 2-2 against Dean Smith’s relegation-threatened Aston Villa.
Leeds are yet to play a warm-up match but West Brom could also play against Manchester United before the season resumes.
It shows that the Midlands club are more than ready to get back to playing and Leeds need to start playing some friendly matches so they can get themselves back up to speed as soon as possible.
It’s one thing being fit, but it’s another thing being match-fit.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have requested information on a midfielder who’s been compared to Patrick Vieira.