AliousLeeds United and Burnley Return to Premier League as Ipswich Face the Drop — Paul Merson Issues Stark Warning
Leeds United and Burnley have secured their spots in next season’s Premier League, while Ipswich Town will be heading back down to the Championship after just one year in the top flight. Ipswich’s relegation was confirmed following a heavy 3-0 defeat against Newcastle United, ensuring that all three clubs promoted in 2024 will find themselves back in the second tier for the 2025/26 campaign.
Burnley and Leeds had already confirmed their promotions earlier in the week, news that was welcomed across the Premier League, with figures like Gary Lineker praising Burnley’s achievements. However, the challenge for newly promoted teams remains daunting, with Leeds determined not just to participate but to establish themselves — although the widening gap between the Premier League and the Championship remains a growing concern. Daniel Farke’s position at Leeds has also come under scrutiny, reflecting broader anxiety about whether this new wave of promoted clubs can survive at the top level.
**Merson’s Tough Assessment of Ipswich and Caution for Leeds and Burnley**
Appearing on Sky Sports’ *Soccer Saturday* during Ipswich’s loss at St James’ Park, Paul Merson did not hold back in his post-match analysis. After Simon Thomas pointed out that Ipswich had initially appeared the most capable of the promoted sides, Merson bluntly responded:
“They’re simply not good enough. There’s a huge gulf between the Championship and the Premier League. While Ipswich have had moments of bad luck, overall they just couldn’t meet the standard.”
Merson criticized the tendency of newly promoted sides to try and emulate possession-heavy styles associated with elite teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal — without having the necessary talent.
“Teams like Real Madrid don’t hesitate to go long when needed,” Merson pointed out. “Yet promoted sides often insist on playing risky football from the back, exposing their less capable defenders to costly errors.”
He argued that survival demands pragmatism, especially given the pressure on players often not at the elite level. “Managers need to stop forcing a style of play that the squad can’t handle. Get the ball away from your own goal, make life hard for the opposition, and grind out results,” Merson urged.
**Blueprint for Survival: Focus on 17th Place**
When asked what approach promoted teams should adopt, Merson was clear: “It’s about being pragmatic and hard to beat. Clubs like Leeds, even with their size and history, must target 17th place — nothing more. Survival should be the sole focus.”
He emphasized that establishing Premier League status over time would allow clubs to gradually strengthen, pointing to Brentford’s recent model as an example.
“Secure survival, build smartly, and within a few years you’ll be comfortably mid-table,” he advised.
**Leeds and Burnley Must Learn Lessons from This Season’s Struggles**
While Leeds arguably have a stronger foundation than Burnley, the Premier League’s current standard is higher than ever. Transitioning successfully from the Championship has never been more challenging.
The experiences of this season’s relegated clubs serve as a grim warning. Southampton, for example, plummeted from a strong 87-point promotion season to potentially matching Derby County’s record-low points total in the Premier League. With just 50 points combined at the 34-game mark, this year’s promoted trio are on track to become the worst-performing promoted group in Premier League history.
For Leeds and Burnley, these stark statistics highlight the scale of the challenge ahead — and just how much work needs to be done to avoid a similar fate.
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