Why Leeds United star believes they can hit the ground running again to earn a Premier League spot

Leeds United’s ability to start a new season like a house on fire gives Adam Forshaw confidence that they’ll hit the ground running and gain promotion to the Premier League, if and when the season recommences.
Adam Forshaw played a part in Leeds United's impressive start to the season under Marcelo Bielsa (Pic: Getty)Adam Forshaw played a part in Leeds United's impressive start to the season under Marcelo Bielsa (Pic: Getty)
Adam Forshaw played a part in Leeds United's impressive start to the season under Marcelo Bielsa (Pic: Getty)

The coronavirus pandemic has forced the suspension of leagues around the world, including the Championship, until April 3, but it seems unlikely play will resume next month, given that the peak of the virus is not expected for 10 to 14 weeks.

Leeds initially continued to train at Thorp Arch but players have now been sent home to work, with equipment supplied by the club including spin bikes and free weights.

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If the game’s authorities manage to agree a return date and do attempt to complete the 2019/20 campaign, Forshaw – who is set to come off his crutches next week in the latest stage of his rehab from hip surgery – believes Leeds will be better prepared than anyone because the break will be like a pre-season build up.

He says he’s ‘massively’ confident that Leeds, the Championship’s current leaders with nine games remaining, will be able to get over the line and win the promotion the club has craved for 15 years, because they proved by winning five and drawing one of their first six 2018/19 and 2019/20 season fixtures, they’re built to lead from the off.

“Once training commences again, I don’t think anyone will train as hard as us,” he said.

“You only have to look at the last two years, how we started the two seasons.

“It’ll be like a mini pre-season going into nine games.

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“I think that’ll whet everyone’s appetite, looking forward to that, thinking we’ll bombard the games and come out with promotion.”

Forshaw has been forced to spectate for much of this season owing to the hip injury he suffered in September and the subsequent surgery in February to correct it.

He has had to get used to enduring the team's highs and lows from the stands or as part of the television audience, with varied success.

His enthusiasm to watch United play did begin to wane a little, through sheer desire to be part of it again, but he’s keeping the main thing the main thing.

“I loved it,” he said.

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“There was a period when I first got back from Colorado and I was Leeds’ biggest fan, I was watching them whenever I could.

“But literally just before the break was put in place I did get to a little point where I was starting to get slightly jealous because I wanted to be part of the run-in, from a personal point of view, really be a part of it.

“At the same time you put that to one side because I just want Leeds to get promoted.”

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