I posted this comment as a reply on another thread, but thought it maybe worthy of its own post, to perhaps invite thoughts from other clubs??
Why there is so much discontent among Leeds fans, whilst currently top of the league?
Is it that many teams don't taste success. Success is shared among a low percentage of teams. For us, do the legacy memories of our successful years, be it Revie, Wilkinson, San Siro or Bielsa, amplify the demands and expectations of fans today?
Do these tastes of success in the past clash/couple with the 'want it now' culture/expectancy of today?
And those expectations are forever growing ...
....we're top of the league. "Not good enough. We should have more points"
... we're 6 point clear... "we should be confirmed by now" (March!)
...we get promoted, we'll want mid table, 1st season
...we're mid-table, next year it's top 6, then Europe and champions league within a year or two.
Fans of teams who haven't tasted the success that we have perhaps just don't think like us? And do fans of teams who have feel the same?
Our expectations crush us, and each of us to different levels. You can see it with the range of posters on here, from the despair of Lowfield/Donns.... right through to the 'happy clappers (love that expression 😊). And both ends of that spectrum are probably wrong - there's only a few who say 'enjoy the ride, wherever it may take us. Maybe we should all be like that, but we know we can't be...cos we are Leeds .. the emotional, the loyal and steadfast, the demanding, the expectant..... but not, perhaps, the most patient!
Why so much discontent?
posted 6 days, 19 hours ago
Totally agree kebab.. spot on that
posted 6 days, 18 hours ago
Completely agree kebab.
And i’ve been thinking about stuff today.
Personally, I think squad is miles better than anything else in League. And without any signings, should walk it.
And whilst I think January transfers are fraught with danger, I’ve come round to the thinking, lets flex our huge muscles and get someone top in.
A player who is a number 10, but can play upfront if needed.
Wont be easy but lets not feck about
posted 6 days, 17 hours ago
comment by Shaun M - supercalifragilisticOrtaisatrocious (U9955)
posted 3 hours, 23 minutes ago
Think some fans, myself included are concerned that season might be bottle job season 3. Those people felt that we stood still in January for both Bielsa and Farke in there first season's as we saw Norwich/Sheff Utd/Villa and Leicester/Ipswich/Saints all fob us off despite arguably being team in both of those season's.
We are top but its solely down to our home form. Away from home we are susceptible to dropping points which not only are avoidable points, but detrimental to our promotion push as Sheff Utd AND Burnley are keeping pace.
^^^
100% agree Shaun.
We're also need to remember Sheff U had a 2 point deduction. Without that, they're top.
Also agree, get whichever 10 Farke wants.
posted 6 days, 17 hours ago
And/or a 9.
posted 6 days, 17 hours ago
Oscar Bobb's back in training.
posted 6 days, 15 hours ago
Good article and response from Kebab is spot on. I get all the common sense of being happy with the ride, but we all know how that can end. Understandably, a lot of us are anxious, so enjoying the ride is not possible.
Not only are we behind where we think we should be, Farke is proving to be just as stubborn as Bielsa, and his recent comments suggest that he does not look at the evidence before his own eyes: Mes will keep us in this division, just as certain as Bamford will never get us out of it. The fact that he thinks the smallest squad in the division is good enough to get us promoted, while our competitors are strengthening their squads, suggests he has learned nothing from our failings in the January transfer market last year.
As decent as he is as a person, he is not convincing me that he is the coach to lead us to promotion and beyond.
Secondly, it cannot be overstated that the football in this division is brutal. The thought of playing Stoke or Cardiff or Blackburn again next season, or any season, send shivers down my spine.
Thirdly, adding to the anxiety, is the sense that this is our best and final chance to get back into the Premier League. If we fail this season, we will lose at least seven of our top performers and will basically have to start all over again.
Discontent? Perhaps not, but anxiety, definitely.
posted 6 days, 11 hours ago
When was the last time Leeds brought in many players in the January window? And how did that go?
Exactly. It has been said over and over by all managers; the January window is a tricky one.
Some always say other teams are doing sooo much business, and so much better than Leeds in January.
Well, there can be a gem or two, naturally, but all in all January is most likely not going to bring in many new faces, and most likely not going to strengthen the team in areas we all would like see strengthening.
On another note; this forum has become quite toxic at times. Sometimes one thinks it's better to not write anything at all.
posted 6 days, 5 hours ago
On another note; this forum has become quite toxic at times. Sometimes one thinks it's better to not write anything at all.
—————————————————————
I think for the majority of times when a problem arises, it’s a misunderstanding rather than someone being malicious.
posted 6 days, 4 hours ago
comment by LIW 100 Points, champions, Lose two games only (U8453)
posted 13 hours, 18 minutes ago
Completely agree kebab.
And i’ve been thinking about stuff today.
Personally, I think squad is miles better than anything else in League. And without any signings, should walk it.
And whilst I think January transfers are fraught with danger, I’ve come round to the thinking, lets flex our huge muscles and get someone top in.
A player who is a number 10, but can play upfront if needed.
Wont be easy but lets not feck about
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agree. It's not that the squad we have couldn't or shouldn't make top two, but if we have the resources and players on our radar that could bolster the squad, why not do it. Better to over prepare and overstock and have plenty to spare than risk leaving ourselves short.I am sure our rivals won't be happy if we strengthen.Disagree with Farke over Meslier but part of me thinks surely he has to improve on what he has shown this season at some point.
posted 6 days, 2 hours ago
comment by RobLUFC (U5692)
posted 1 hour, 29 minutes ago
comment by LIW 100 Points, champions, Lose two games only (U8453)
posted 13 hours, 18 minutes ago
Completely agree kebab.
And i’ve been thinking about stuff today.
Personally, I think squad is miles better than anything else in League. And without any signings, should walk it.
And whilst I think January transfers are fraught with danger, I’ve come round to the thinking, lets flex our huge muscles and get someone top in.
A player who is a number 10, but can play upfront if needed.
Wont be easy but lets not feck about
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agree. It's not that the squad we have couldn't or shouldn't make top two, but if we have the resources and players on our radar that could bolster the squad, why not do it. Better to over prepare and overstock and have plenty to spare than risk leaving ourselves short.I am sure our rivals won't be happy if we strengthen.Disagree with Farke over Meslier but part of me thinks surely he has to improve on what he has shown this season at some point.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The problem with Mes is not just the gaffes. It's the uncertainty he causes in the defence. They don't know what to expect from him. Are Burnley's defenders better than ours? No. The difference is they don't have to second-guess their keeper all the time. Have a look at the Swansea game, where we had to score four goals to win it. Ask yourself this: Would Trafford or Hooper have let in three goals in that one?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuZ4tIqUZJU&ab_channel=LeedsUnitedOfficial
If we just brought in a decent keeper, that would gain us about four points on top of what Mes will offer us, based on Mes' performances so far. How much would that cost us?
That's the only position we can't navigate our way around.
A centre-forward and/or an attacking midfielder would be nice, but we are the top scorers without them. We are fine in the other outfield positions.