Gary Neville fires warning to Leeds and Sheffield United with ‘one thing’ they’ll be punished for in Premier League

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At least one of Leeds United and Sheffield United will be playing in the Premier League next season, but if they do get promoted, they’ll need to adapt in one area very quickly.

The Championship title race is heading for an exciting finish, with Leeds, the Blades, and Burnley trading places week by week at the moment.

With just two points separating the top three with five games to go, it’s anyone’s guess who will go up this year. But, if Daniel Farke or Chris Wilder succeed (or indeed both), then they may well find themselves out of their depth in the Premier League.

Dominating the second tier doesn’t always translate into success in the top flight, as Leicester City, Southampton, and Ipswich have found this year, and the same could happen to the next batch of promoted teams.

• READ MORE: Championship round-up as Leeds United recover, Bristol City make their move, and Birmingham City join the party

Leeds United and Sheffield United cannot afford to play out from the back in the Premier League

Discussing the difference between the Premier League and the Championship on the Stick to Football podcast, Gary Neville outlined the way that promoted teams simply have to adapt when they make the step up.

He said: “The reason I wouldn’t play out from the back if I was one of the lower teams in the Premier League is partly because the defenders have come up from the Championship and aren’t good enough to play out from the back.

“But one thing that has improved enormously in the game is the forwards understanding of pressing. Pressing has improved from 10 years ago – that’s one thing that’s got so much better in the game

“Strikers are so organised now, in terms of winning the ball off people and setting traps, that it’s even harder to play out from the back than it was ten years ago. It’s so hard to play out from the back.”

We know that Sheffield United, and particularly Leeds have bought into the concept of playing out from the back, and it’s served them well in the Championship this season.

They may have some of the best players in the Championship, but the likes of Anel Ahmedhodzic and Joe Rodon would still need to change their ways if and when they make it to the top flight.

• READ MORE: Championship Player of the Month and Manager of the Month nominees are in, they may surprise you

Burnley would be pragmatic enough to survive the Premier League

Ironically, Burnley, who have been accused of playing rather boring, defensive football this season, would probably be absolutely fine sticking to that approach if and when they get promoted.

Scott Parker’s side are incredibly strong at the back, and it’s all down to the fact they take very few risks in defensive zones.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	41	24	13	4	80	28	52	85
2	BurnleyBurnley	41	23	16	2	55	12	43	85
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	41	26	7	8	56	31	25	83
4	SunderlandSunderland	41	21	13	7	57	37	20	76
5	Bristol CityBristol City	41	16	15	10	53	44	9	63
6	CoventryCoventry	41	18	8	15	58	53	5	62

That would serve them well when stepping up to the more intense demands of the Premier League, and while that certainly wouldn’t guarantee them survival given the current gap between the top flight and the Championship, it would give them a fighting chance.

Burnley have been practically flawless this season, and they deserve to win the title and go up on the basis of their consistency. The fact they are best prepared for the jump, too, is a really positive sign for Parker as he finally looks to break the curse of the promoted teams.