Newcastle United takes on Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday, at the scene of one of the Magpies’ biggest wins last season.
The Magpies are now looking for another three points to boost their Champions League bid, while their opponents are fighting for their lives.
Ahead of the game, we have spoken to Leeds United News lead writer Will Butcher about what has gone wrong for Leeds this season, the arrival of Sam Allardyce, and what he has made of Newcastle‘s remarkable campaign.
How are you feeling heading into Saturday’s game? Is there a belief that you can get a win?
I think most Leeds fans have succumbed to the thought of Championship football next season. However, saying that I think we are a whole lot better placed with Big Sam in charge.
The loss to Manchester City was always going to be a loss, but it showed fight and a renewed connection between the club and its fans.
There is a belief that we can win but there is also a realization that anything other than defeat would be a really good result.
What has gone wrong for Leeds this season?
To put it simply, Victor Orta. He got it wrong with Jesse Marsch, the board kept him on too long and should have sacked him before the winter break – but wins against Liverpool and Bournemouth kept him in a job.
Signings have been largely poor (McKennie, Kristensen, Roca, Rutter). Orta then brought in Gracia. Basically, Orta’s decisions have put us in this position.
Is Sam Allardyce going to keep Leeds in the Premier League, and are you happy to see him at Elland Road?
I never thought we’d see Big Sam at Leeds, just 15 months after Bielsa left. I’m obviously not happy to see him as Leeds’s manager because it sums up a drastically poor spell of bad boardroom-level decisions, but in the situation, we’re in – he was the best we could have hoped for. We needed to get rid of Gracia to stand any chance.
Tyler Adams has been linked with a move to St James’ Park, do you think he is good enough to play for Newcastle (especially if we qualify for the Champions League)?
I think Adams is good enough to play for Newcastle – and I think he’s exactly what you need. Bruno is brilliant, but he was even better pushed on as a 6 or an 8. Having a player like Adams behind him would get the best out of him.
Is he Champions League quality? Maybe not yet, but I’m a season or two, definitely.
What have you made of Newcastle’s season?
Newcastle are a real joy to watch. Having watched such a leaky defense, the combination of Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, and Burn is a real thrill – defensively.
While there are of course question marks at the board level over the ethical aspect of it, on the pitch I’m delighted to see such a big club return to where it rightly resides. A real feel-good factor that I dream of seeing return at Elland Road.
