Despite Preston North End bringing their 10-match winless run to an end at Cardiff City, Paul Heckingbottom isn’t in the best of spirits ahead of facing former club Leeds United.
Leeds make the trip to Deepdale looking to start building up some consistency on the road, but it is a ground they haven’t had much joy at over the last couple of seasons.
Illan Meslier’s controversial red card helped PNE to a 2-1 victory over Leeds on Boxing Day 12 months ago, while it took a late Eddie Nketiah equaliser to salvage a point during the promotion season.
However, it has been a difficult season so far for North End as they sit 14th in the table, having won just four matches all season.
PNE will also be without Sam Greenwood, who is ineligible to face his parent club. Considering Greenwood has created the most big chances in the Championship, that is a big blow.
Heckingbottom frustrated ahead of facing Leeds
Leeds are in the Saturday lunchtime spot for the third successive weekend at PNE, with their win over Derby the first since February in the early kick-off.
However, Leeds should have an advantage going into this match, as they will have had 24 hours more of recovery time than their opponents.
Leeds defeated Middlesbrough on home soil on Tuesday night, while PNE made the long trip to South Wales to face Cardiff on Wednesday.
Speaking to the Lancashire Evening Post after the win at Cardiff, Heckingbottom branded the scheduling as ‘foolish’ and something he really doesn’t like.
He said: “That is the one thing I don’t like about these split fixtures. It’s just foolish, really, how much of an advantage it gives another team.
“We’ve sort of been at the wrong end of that. So, yeah, we have to look at it and try to get the most competitive team out there – but not just at the start of the game, with the subs that could possibly happen throughout the 90, because we are going to need them.
“We are going to have to cope and manage that 24 hours fewer, which I disagree with. I have said that many times – I disagree with it – but we are certainly going to have to look at that. Recovery is starting now, players are getting prepped now – but we will be ready come 12:30 Saturday.”
- READ MORE: ‘Fantastic’ player may regret ditching Leeds United for Championship rivals, he’s started just twice
Heckingbottom comments bang on ahead of Leeds
While the scheduling should benefit Leeds this weekend, Heckingbottom is spot on with his comments.
Leeds have had their fair share of tight turnarounds this season, perhaps none more so than after the October international break when they had to face Sheffield United on a Friday night, when most of their players were still in action all across the world on Tuesday.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder also had a complaint about the schedule at the end of last month, showing how it is an EFL-wide problem.
Those in power above really need to have more common sense when it comes to making decisions on fixture scheduling.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
