Diary of a Leeds fan (5/2-12-2/16)

In a new feature Head of Content Keith Ingham logs the past week for Leeds United

Friday 5/2

Sol Bamba insisted that he was happy at Leeds even after several teams had enquired about him during the January transfer window. He did however say this; "When you see other teams, the players they bring in, they’re getting stronger. When you look at ourselves, we haven’t done much.". Pretty much what the fans have been saying on social media, Mr Cellino and Mr Evans are you listening?

Watford vs Leeds confirmed for Saturday 20th February at 3pm, So it looks like the BBC and BT Sport have decided against a live TV showing of our next FA Cup tie, Leeds will be backed by over 4,000 fans when the tie takes place. 

Saturday 6/2

Leeds v Nottingham Forest

Match Day...

Steve Evans made one change for the game vs Nottingham Forest, Liam Cooper replacing Sol Bamba. 

The match... Leeds lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest with Oliveira getting the goal just on the hour mark. Nothing up front and slackness at the back were enough to give the visitors the three points. A very poor performance in front of nearly twenty five thousand fans. 

Evans comments post match about Sol Bamba will not rest easy with the club's captain or with the fans, He said if Bamba had a problem with being left out of the side "thats his problem".

Surely these things should be kept 'in house'.

Sunday 7/2

Quite a lot of 'fallout' from yesterday's game and a few irate Leeds fans arguing amongst 'the keyboard warriors' on social media. Nothing much from Elland Road in the way of comments. A very quiet day in Leedsville. 

Super bowl 50 : Broncos 24 Panthers 14

Monday 8/2

Scott Wootton not for the first time, came under a certain amount of scrutiny. His last performance wasn't his worse in my view, but he is still a centre back playing out of position at right back. Yet Mr Evans likes him there and incoherently he knows best.

The Leeds United academy is rated second in producing players that progress to the first team, the top team wasn't stated as only the parent club get the statistics. Paul Hart commented;

“It shows that we continue to produce young players and we’re determined to build on that legacy,” Hart said. “If you took a 10-year view it would still definitely stand up. If you took a 20-year view it would be massive. “If you took a 60-year view, Right back to the days of Lorimer, Gray, Hunter, Cooper, Madeley, Reaney and all those great players – the club’s Academy system would still be at the top.

“It continues to be a huge part of this football club and it really is something to be proud of. What separates the Leeds United Academy from many of our rivals is that we actually put people in the first team". Wise words indeed. 

Mirco Antenucci's wife indicated that she would still like to leave England and return to home. She has recently presented the striker with his second child and would like them to grow up back in Italy. It is to be seen if the striker is offered a extension of his contract or allowed to leave.

Gaetano Berardi will hopefully return to training this week after being out since December, hopefully his return may give another option at right back for Steve Evans. 

Tuesday 9/2

Ex-Leeds United legend Andrew Hughes left Rotherham United by 'mutual agreement' after yesterday's announcement of the sacking of Neil Redfearn. Paul Clement was also removed from his post at Derby County the same day.

New signing 'Dave' has so far failed in his attempts to find a suitable property, in his latest attempt the landlord refused him permission to look around a house because "he didn't want footballers in it".

Wednesday 10/2

Evans had words of encouragement for Lewis Cook after the nineteen year old had a poor game against Forest, The Scotsman said; “He has to learn and he has to continue to get better. Sam Byram’s just gone to the Premier League and he’s 22. Cook’s got four years until he gets to that sort of age. We’ve got an 18-year-old going out there and being our big performer in a lot of Championship matches".

Massimo Cellino in a Italian interview first admitted in implementing the 'pie tax' because of the insults he received at the Blackburn Rovers home game, He then denied in a later statement and claimed he was joking in the previous interview. I just wish he'd think before he spoke to journalists, but that's never been his mojo. 

Leeds is one of the most expensive places to watch Championship football with only three clubs charging more for season tickets and match day tickets being 14% higher than the league average. In all it proves that football is a very expensive activity. In the Premiership, after Liverpool fans walked out of the game versus Sunderland revently because of the proposed increase in ticket prices (£77) for some games, the owners backed down and their will be a freeze in ticket prices and tickets available for only £9 for some games.
Fan power can work !.

Thursday 11/2

Because of yesterday's about turn by the owners of Liverpool FC, certain blog sites called for a 'call to arms' from Leeds fans to at least get the attention of Massimo Cellino. I think it's fair to say that many of our long suffering fans, myself included have had enough of the egocentric Italians antics and broken promises. Remember Huddersfield Town at Elland Road a couple of years ago? He certainly got that message loud and clear, but most importantly it made a difference. 

As if by magic the poster to the left arrived outside the East Stand today, It was paid for by a group that is opposed to Cellino. When asked by Adam Pope about if it's time to go, the Italian said to him "I agree". Whether the response was 'tongue in cheek' we shall see. 

In a later twist to the story, Leeds United contacted the advertiser that had let it's space be used and asked for it to be removed, citing that it was 'harassment' of the club's owner. They threatened legal action if it was not revealed who placed the advertisement. I've said it before but you really couldn't make this up.

---

Friday 12/2

Steve Evans assistant Paul Raynor asked fans to stick behind the team and not to copy Liverpool's fans in leaving the game en mass, He stressed the importance of them during games. He considers the detractors would be won over if the team went on a winning run and stated; "We’re working very hard to turn it around and I believe we will".

By Keith Ingham