We were gutted after the Wigan game, every one of us. A game we should have won easily turned into a performance that could define our season. We were devastated at the final whistle and I'm sure I wasn't the only one who spent yesterday in a state of dejection.There is understandable anger and bitterness amongst us. We look at the mistakes player made, at the strange substitutions Bielsa made, and our inability to put the game to bed, and our first reaction is to look for people to blame. Alioski won't be getting an invite to our Easter lunch.
I think the occasion got to them, simple as that. The crowd were as intimidating for us as it was for Wigan, and too often, we looked like rabbits in the headlights. Such is the weight of expectation
We are beating ourselves up, and reminding ourselves of all the time we almost won but didn't. It hurt just as bad back then too. My first season as a Leeds supporter was 1970 and after the Cup Final replay, my Dad said to me, 'don't worry, son, it's only a game.' I didn't speak to him for three months.
We bottled the lot that season, but we have had seasons where we came good and won trophies and championships too. The bottling label is a convenient default for our detractors, but there is no value in throwing that label on our players, especially now.
Whatever happens in the next three games, we have to acknowledge the wonderful work Bielsa and the team have done. We have been treated to a feast of football, the club has been rejuvenated, and it belongs to us more than ever before. This partly explains why Saturday hurt so much. If it had been this time last season, no-one would have been too bothered.
Secondly, the season is not over yet. There are three games for both us and Sheffield United to deal with, and challenges in each of them. Second place has changed hands almost week by week, and it is bound to change again. The one thing we know about Leeds is that we can bounce back from defeat, and I would not bet against us to do that again. Football is a tumble dryer for the emotions and this season, someone has thrown in a pneumatic drill for good measure. Good teams come back. Look at how Manchester City dealt with their devastating loss in the Champions League to nail the 3 point against Spurs today. Those players had three days to come to terms with that result, and had to battle to victory.
Thirdly, and most importantly, we have to believe we can do it. We know what this team is capable of. With the exception of boring Borough, we have beaten all of the top eight teams this season and we have done the double over Bristol and Derby. We can worry ourselves stupid about Brentford and Villa, or we can look forward to them as opportunities to put ourselves back in the driving seat. We have been hurt, but the best way of healing ourselves is with three points at Brentford. So let's lift ourselves back up again, and raise the glass, and our hopes, to our fabulous Leeds United.
Raise your glass
posted on 21/4/19
I'll be surprised if Sheffield get more than a point against Hull, so we beat Brentford and all of a sudden, things look much rosier.
That being said, apparently Sheffield are allowed to choose their own referees so who knows.
posted on 21/4/19
I've rated the article 2...irritated by the silly and illogical term 'bottlers'....otherwise a good article.
Every team lose important games don't they and trying to connect players and teams almost 50 years apart doesn't make sense...just easy cheap jibes.
posted on 21/4/19
Don't like this situation were Sheffield United play before us (it will be 4 games) think it gives them an advantage. If they beat Hull tomorrow it's going to be very hard for us.
posted on 21/4/19
Agree the term bottled is used far too cheaply.
If one is 8 points clear with 3 games left and don’t go up then use the term. Like that french golfer Van de Velde who lost the open with a 3 shot lead on the final hole having played 71 good previous ones - that’s bottling it.
Leeds bottled nothing last season - they simply were not good enough for 5 months or half a season. Crikey we had wiedwald Okane Anita etc playing!!
posted on 21/4/19
You make a fair point, NJS, but the intensity of the 1969-70 season is etched in the memory of those of us who were there. That's why people talk about it so much. It must seem strange to younger fans that we relive that era two generations later.
We lost two crucial games, against Celtic at Parkhead in the European Cup semi-final, and against Chelsea in the FA Cup Final, after going a goal up in each. 50 years ago, maybe, but as fresh in my memory as the match against Wigan at the weekend.
It's a cruel comment to make about our revered side of that era, when they gave everything in those games and, equally, it is unfair to call our present team bottlers.
But it felt then, and it felt on Saturday, that we had blown it.
Hopefully when you are posting about Leeds in 50 years time, you will be able to remind fans of the time we won 10 European Champions Leagues in a row, and how there was a club called Man U who have since gone out of existence.
posted on 21/4/19
Good post my friend...I will change my rating to 3 😀 ...what I remember is that Celtic were a yard or two faster, spurred on by a massive support, still a record crowd I think? We were knackered by FA Cup final a few days earlier, the football authorities never helped with the schedule of important games.
The Chelsea replay we lost to a team who bullied us, according to some Leeds players, including Lorimer as I remember...yes the great Leeds team bullied by Chelsea! They were a different team to the first game and took us by surprise with their tactics...they became Leeds and we became Chelsea!! But all great times get beat at sometime, so by definition are they 'bottlers?'
posted on 21/4/19
I've had a rethink and decided to rate your article to 4...you make excellent points with your comment on the weight of crowd expectation on the team...I don't think this can be underestimated, it's critical...but how you can solve this conundrum I don't know? The team need the support there is no doubt...
Have a good Easter despite the game on bad Friday!
posted on 21/4/19
5 stars from me
"Whatever happens in the next three games, we have to acknowledge the wonderful work Bielsa and the team have done. We have been treated to a feast of football, the club has been rejuvenated"
^^^^^
That statement sums things up for me too. Messiah
has been phenomenal. I just hope he stays beyond this season whether we get 2nd place, win the play-off bonanza, or fail to go up. He's been incredible.
This has been a season to remember.
posted on 21/4/19
The fans have given their all this season 100%. The club made a statement with all those fans holding up "believe",and the fans did. So expectations would be high considering the position they have been in all season. It's up to the players now to believe in these final games in the league, or in the playoffs.
posted on 21/4/19
comment by icub4me (U10576)
posted 58 minutes ago
The fans have given their all this season 100%. The club made a statement with all those fans holding up "believe",and the fans did. So expectations would be high considering the position they have been in all season. It's up to the players now to believe in these final games in the league, or in the playoffs.
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Fans were poor against Wigan. Turned so quickly and I dint think it helped one bit. Wilder has talked about how a young Leeds side would handle a 35;000 demanding crowd and I think we found out.
South stand chucking stuff at players
Even some odd people booing at final whistle.
When they needed us most I don’t think we were there. The impatience in the crowd I think flows onto the pitch.