Graham Smyth has slammed the “ridiculous” decision to reschedule yet another Leeds United fixture at such short notice.
Leeds confirmed on Twitter on Thursday (8 February) that the match against Sheffield Wednesday has been moved up a day to March 8.
Sky Sports’ choice to choose the game for TV coverage has forced many supporters to make alternate arrangements.
Many fans will have to make alternate arrangements as a result of Sky Sports’ choice to broadcast the event.
Speaking on the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Inside Elland Road podcast [9 February, 09m 07s], journalist Smyth said: “Nobody thinks about the fans and how tough it is to go to these games, how expensive it is.
“This was brought up in Parliament this week by an MP. I believe that nothing will happen.
“The Football Supporters’ Association is constantly reminding Sky and the Premier League to get their fixture selections in early so that supporters have more notice.
“The modifications to these fixtures are simply ludicrous. The Premier League says nothing, and nothing changes.”
Another Championship fixture has changed for Leeds. United
Leeds are no strangers to having fixtures changed for television coverage, but doing so with only a month’s notice is completely unfair to supporters.
Many people would have taken the day off work and have made travel plans, all for nothing in many senses.
There should be a provision requiring fixtures to be changed with at least two months’ notice, providing supporters time to make plans.
Given what happened in 2012, the fact that this Yorkshire derby is now starting at 8 p.m. is a bold move by the authorities.
Regardless of the late date change for what may be a critical encounter, the Hillsborough away end will remain filled.
And you know this won’t be the last time a game is moved to the final few months of the season.
Unfortunately, it is the price of having a well-known team like Leeds.
In other Leeds United news, Dean Jones has made a prediction about Wilfried Gnonto based on recent performances.
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Luis Sinisterra’s move to Bournemouth is the first in a string of long-term Leeds United departures. – Phil Hay
According to Phil Hay, Luis Sinisterra’s £20 million permanent transfer to Bournemouth will be the first of several long-term Leeds United loanee departures this summer.
On 9 February, the Athletic journalist told The Square Ball that “there was no way back” for the Colombian winger after his unhappy loan agreement on the summer window Deadline Day, and that he expected different players who left on temporary terms to follow him with transfers.
Sinisterra has now joined Tyler Adams in committing to the Cherries permanently, although Max Wober, Rasmus Kristensen, and Brenden Aaronson’s fates remain uncertain.
Hay stated (2m 25s): “Leeds saw no way of him returning, and I believe this will be the start of a trend of players who were here during the relegation season leaving permanently, or certainly going elsewhere for the long term.”
“There was no turning back, and it was identical to Tyler Adams; it had become so bitter and twisted at the critical point where it was remain or go. Adams decided he wanted to leave, and, like Sinisterra, the possibility of legal action near the conclusion of the last window meant there was no turning back; there was some bad blood there.”
Permanent Leeds United for Sinisterra, the first of many
Most of those who departed on loan in the summer will have to work hard to re-establish themselves with the fans if they return to Elland Road.
Given how well the group has performed under Daniel Farke this season, there appears to be a solid foundation to build on without loanees returning.
Whether this team is capable of performing as well in the Premier League is a reasonable issue, but aside from Wober and Jack Harrison, it could easily be asked of others who left in the summer.
So, if there is money on the table, Angus Kinnear will be ready to spend it on a new set of players who do not carry the same baggage.
The Leeds United CEO voiced surprise and displeasure at how willing players were to depart following relegation [Square Ball, 7 September], so while Farke has brought back Willy Gnonto and Charlie Cresswell, he may not have to make the same decision on others.
And, for the most part, the fanbase is unlikely to be disappointed if further permanent agreements are completed, though whether the club can extract as much value out of some names as they did from Sinisterra is certainly a question.
