At present for me - no
Is it because I’m no longer a teenager searching for his first dose of top flight football?
Is it because back then the team was far stronger and the belief of realising the dream was much higher?
Is it because crowds have changed and no longer is one surrounded by similar crazy adolescents sharing the dream?
Certainly looking around the ground yesterday I couldn’t see or feel 1989. Granted the East Stand Upper is a lot different to standing on the old Lowfields and you are a way off the atmospheres in the kop/south stand. I have been in the East Stand upper though when the noise felt like it could blow the roof off. The Ben Parker cross to Becchio goal a good example. Yesterday it was full of people moaning at every loose pass, berating the match official for every decision and nobody getting behind the team. I said to my lot that we need the crowd to get us back in this game in the second half and then we scored. A massive goal on the cusp of half time completely changing the complexion of the game. Suddenly we were chasing three points again. As the players left the pitch there should have been a standing ovation and roar from all 4 ends of the ground giving them a lift into the dressing room. I looked around for 1989 and all I could see were people dashing off for pies or playing on their phones.
Does all this make any difference? Who knows. The crowd needs to be there to lift the players. Imagine being 19yr old and making your second start and 33,000 roaring you off the field.
It might not be long before Victor Orta takes to the field and gives it a “let’s be having you" speech.
This could be our best chance and only chance for some time to get promoted. No guarantee that if we fail this time we will be in the mix again next time. We need to find the 12th man.
Does it feel like 1989?
posted on 10/12/18
Stupid kick off days/times, seating and people texting/phoning instead of watching has killed things.
Back in 89, you had newspapers, TV (not 500 channels), teletext and club call to try and find out what was going on, it meant match day and the programme was when you really got immersed in it whereas now its 24/7 access to everything.
Team was much stronger then and we weren't that many years away from the great side, very different times now.
posted on 10/12/18
Do people excessively text at the Leeds games you've been to Jonty? They must be lucky, because I can never get signal when I'm at Elland Road.
posted on 10/12/18
Lubs, you're talking to the man who:
knew the indepth ins and outs of the potential signing of Vydra, and knew exactly how inept our recruitment was, apparently there were some reports on this that he trusted, which we're still all looking forward to reading about.
Knew that MB was a massive risk, and has had that confirmed apparently by somebody at the club. kind of proving his point that Pulis would of been a better choice of manager back when we debated it in August.
Knew that Radz supports rape and murder by taking the team away during the pre-season.
of course people text all the time, J-dog has told you, somebody at the club confirmed it, again
posted on 10/12/18
comment by LIW - RAD = BATES WITH A SMILE (U8453)
posted 2 hours, 57 minutes ago
I do think some are remembering the atmospheres back then through rose tinted glasses as well
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Did you go in the promotion winning season ???
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Liw - I did indeed, not many I grant you - I was based over in Holland at the time, so only made 2 or 3 games from memory. If I was back in the UK on leave, then I always tried to time if for a match. Wolves and Brighton I think? It was the same for most seasons around that time and into the 90s.
My slightly glib response was more hinting/observing that as a 9/10 year old, things can seem more exciting than perhaps is or was the case. Others have replied and reinforced your point, so fair play i'll accept i'm guilty of a bit of making an inaccurate statement perhaps?
I don't recall the specific atmospheres at the time that much - it's been over 30 years and I've attended a whole load more matches, drunk a sh111t load of beer and lost far too many memory cells as a result, to be an authority on it.
Atmospheres though in general, have improved at football I'd argue and it's improved and heightened the popularity of the sport. It's not just with primarily white working class blokes anymore - but with fans from all corners of society. The odd outburst like at Chelsea at the weekend unfortunately, but in general a good atmosphere - if not maybe as vocal and vociferous as previous. Apologies if my earlier post came across as a dig, or a bit pious. It was a quick reply texted in haste, making what I thought was perhaps a valid observation.....
posted on 10/12/18
What was the last game you come away from and thought wow, that was a real good atmosphere.
Most recent in mind for me was when we beat Brighton under Monk, was rocking that night.
posted on 10/12/18
An atmosphere over a game can be difficult to generate, but you would think that goal would have really lifted the crowd going into half -time and there should have been a deafening roar as the players left the field.
There was one chap near me who was noticeable in his loudness. His main criticism was against the referee and at one point the bloke in front of him told him to calm because he'd jumped up and knocked him on the back of his head. He was supercharged up and if he could have put his efforts into supporting the side he would have been doing a great job. Amazingly despite the award of a throw-in seemingly a life and death decision he disappeared after around 40 minutes and didnt come back to his seat until the 60th and missed both goals Incredible!
The penalty award was cheered louder than normal. Just the fact we got one i think!
posted on 10/12/18
comment by The Hayemaker (U14625)
posted 49 minutes ago
What was the last game you come away from and thought wow, that was a real good atmosphere.
Most recent in mind for me was when we beat Brighton under Monk, was rocking that night.
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Parts of the defeat against Millwall last season was excellent. Shame about the result, but thought the atmosphere as we pulled ourself back into it was excellent.
posted on 10/12/18
There have been a few decent atmospheres recently.
There have been a couple this season that I'd say the crowd have dragged us through by creating an atmosphere when losing or struggling.
posted on 10/12/18
The fan base has changed, back in the day it was mainly young men creating the atmosphere and other things of course.
posted on 11/12/18
Leeds 4 Hull 3!!! I was in the Lowfields for this one, far and away the best match I have ever been to. When we scored the winner, we were stamping our feet and singing for a full 15 minutes after the final whistle. February, 1990. Vinnie, Strach, Chappie, and the Fissssshhhhhh...where are you now?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BSxd2gTIHA&t=8s