The mere mention of the phrase ‘early kick-off’ – such as the one which saw Leeds United held to a 1-1 draw at Luton Town – is usually enough to bring the Elland Road supporters out in a nasty case of hives.
When making the long trip down to Kenilworth Road, even the most optimistic of supporters would have been casting a very weary eye over a record which reads two wins in the club’s previous 14, pre-1.30pm kick-offs.
West Brom brought Leeds United’s six game winning run to a halt on March 1st. Daniel Farke’s suddenly ailing side followed that up with a shock reverse at Portsmouth as a scintillating Josh Murphy ran Jayden Bogle and co ragged at Fratton Park.
And given that Leeds’ results seem to get worse the earlier they play, not to mention the more south they travel, there was a real sense of inevitability about the eventual 1-1 draw in Bedforshire.
A result which, albeit offset to an extent by Sheffield United’s own reverse at the hands of Oxford United, leaves the Yorkshire giants at risk of coming third in a three-horse race for the third time since 2019.
Mark Clattenburg understands Leeds United’s dislike of early kick-offs
Why Leeds tend to be so poor when kicking off on a lunchtime – compared to say, 3pm or late in the evening – is anyone’s guess.
Though former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg is well placed to provide an insight into Leeds’ midday malaise, and why even Daniel Farke’s most consistent performers tend to slip below their usual standards.
“I hated early kicks offs,” Clattenburg says, speaking exclusively to Leeds United News.
“Nutrition was different for myself as, by the time I woke up and got to stadium, not wanting to eat close to kick-off was a fine balance. And also the atmosphere in stadiums with fans having less alcohol made a atmosphere not the same.
“Sometimes, at home, it’s a disadvantage when the stadium can be hostile.”
Matt Smith, the one-time Leeds striker, also highlighted the change in diet as a potential disruption when speaking to The Athletic recently. Footballers may be prime athletes, but no one wakes up at 9am fancying a plate full of pasta and chicken breast.
And perhaps the atmosphere has a part to play as well. Arguably no team in the Championship is as effected by their feverish home crowd as Leeds United.
Considering that early kick-offs tend to mean an earlier alarm, and less time spent sinking San Miguels, an often fearsome noise can be rendered a little sleepy at times.
Daniel Farke argues Luton Town draw is a ‘good point’ for Leeds
The bad news is that, of Leeds’ final six league matches, two are due to begin at 12.30pm. The clash with Preston North End on April 12th, and that final day visit to Plymouth Argyle.
Leeds did at least avoid defeat at Kenilworth Road. Dan James curled home a sumptuous finish on the half-hour mark to cancel out Isaiah Jones’ early opener.
“It’s always difficult [when you concede first],” Farke explains, his claims of this being a ‘good point’ in the circumstances failing to wash with an increasingly disillusioned fanbase. “Then, the other team can then concentrate on being solid at the back.
“Being in the lead in an away game one day would be nice. This was a hard fought point. We knew it would be a difficult game today. Luton played in the Premier League last season.
“Many of [Luton’s players] played Premier League and many of them are under performing, but they are on the up. It’s always a difficult game. The pitch is not the easiest one. There is no other stadium where ball is in play less.
“We needed to be ready for physical game and we were. We stayed cool and equalised with a great finish from Dan James.
“When they don’t take much risks, we have to be a bit patient.”
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