Leeds and Burnley offered Premier League warning after Championship borefest
01/28/2025 11:10 AM
Leeds United and Burnley have been warned that they’ll need to improve if they’re to stand any chance of surviving in the Premier League.
The two sides, along with Sheffield United and Sunderland, are among the four teams currently vying for automatic promotion from the Championship.
However, taking to the pitch in a crucial six-pointer on Monday night, the two sides played out a dour 0-0 draw at Turf Moor.
The contest had just one shot on target – an effort that was tipped over the bar by Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford – with fans having to wait until the 89th minute to see it.
Dean Ashton was on co-commentary for talkSPORT’s coverage of the match and it’s safe to say he wasn’t impressed.
Asked if both sides will be happy with the result, Ashton said: "Of course they will because of they way they set their teams up.
"The substitutions that were made said everything about how both managers and both teams were feeling – get out with a draw and don't give anything away.
"I think it was one of the safest performances I've seen from two teams near the top of a league that I've ever seen.
"At no point did it feel like there was any risk-taking at all."
He added: “The big thing is are either of these two teams expecting to do anything in the Premier League with performances like that?
"That's the thing because they've got no chance on that showing."
Scottish football legend and talkSPORT presenter Ally McCoist also gave his verdict on both teams and supported Ashton’s view that neither side look ready for the Premier League.
He said: “I've watched Leeds at home a few times this season and they have a go but on the evidence of what we saw at Turf Moor, you'd have to say that both teams would struggle.
"That's coming from someone who loves the Championship, the competitiveness and the Saturday-Tuesday, but I've got to say I was disappointed last night.”
But while the clash at Turf Moor was far from a classic, Simon Jordan praised Scott Parker for putting results above entertainment in his list of priorities.
He said: “I think Scott Parker is very sensible because there's too much idealism in football regarding philosophies rather than the overriding matter of how you win football matches.
"Of course it's about entertainment and sport is becoming more and more about entertainment and I understand that but their defensive record is remarkable.
"There's not a team in the 92 teams who have a record anything like conceding nine goals.
"Ultimately Burnley got a point and they move on and build on it.
"Parker is saying that achieve the outcome of what he's primarily been brought there to do which is to get them out of the Championship, this is the best way to do it with the talent pool that he’s got.”
