Going into the next round of Championship fixtures, it’s Leeds United and Scott Parker’s Burnley who sit in the top two spots.
After a dramatic round of midweek fixtures which saw Leeds United beat Middlesbrough 1-0, Burnley draw at Derby County and Sheffield United lose to Millwall.
The results saw Daniel Farke’s Leeds United side jump from 3rd back into 1st place of the Championship table, prompting a new and somewhat rare wave of positivity after a few very tough weeks for fans.
Burnley meanwhile are now on an incredible 28-game unbeaten streak in the Championship. Scott Parker, who was linked with the Leeds United job before Farke was hired, is doing a rather stunning job this season.
Not only are his side unbeaten since the start of November but they’ve also conceded just 12 goals this season, keeping 28 clean sheets so far.
Both Parker and Farke are on course for career third promotions from the Championship this season. But ahead of the next round of fixtures, Parker has broken his usually self-focused character.
Scott Parker bemoans fixtures as Burnley play on Friday night, Leeds United play Saturday
Friday night sees Burnley host Norwich City. It gives the Clarets a chance to get one over Leeds and Sheffield United by picking up a win, and giving their two promotion rivals a bit of added pressure going into their Saturday games.
But Parker doesn’t see it that way. Every time Parker has been asked about Leeds United or Sheffield United this season, Parker has insisted he simply doesn’t pay attention and that he’s only focused on what’s going on at Burnley.
Speaking ahead of Friday however, Parker has bemoaned the fact that his side play on the Friday and that Sheffield United and Leeds both play on the Saturday. He said: “We’ve fallen on the wrong side of it. No denying that. Of course we have. I think that’s very clear. But no, it is what it is.
“We’re used to that and these players are primed and always at their optimum, professional athletes that are at their fittest, to be honest with you.”
Is the pressure getting to Scott Parker at Burnley?
Last week, Farke turned heads by saying that Leeds United will 100% be promoted this season. The news even got over to Turf Moor where Parker was asked for his reaction to Farke’s comments.
And in typical Parker fashion he said: “No interest really, that’s Daniel, and I respect Daniel immensely and I’m sure he understands his quality in his team, and they are a very, very good side, so that’s how Daniel felt. I wouldn’t want to comment on that too much.”
For Parker to now come out and bemoan the fixtures and how he thinks it benefits Leeds United and Sheffield United is certainly a break in character and it may suggest that promotion race nerves are starting to settle in.
That’s likely the case at Elland Road and Bramall lane as well though; the latter especially after back-to-back defeats in the Championship.
Leeds United against Preston kicks off at 12:30pm on Saturday, along with Sheffield United’s game at Plymouth Argyle.
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