Diary of a Leeds Fan (5/3-11/3/16)

Saturday 5/3/16

From what I hear Massimo is trying to arrange a loan deal for a striker and centre-back, as we know both are desperately needed. The only trouble is he's not keen on paying them the going rate, some things never change.

Another home game, more protests. This time a 'fly by' organised by the group against owner Massimo Cellino.

Some others were less than impressive (the coffin) considering a young fan lost his life recently and was to be applauded during the game, a bit too far I say to them. Let's protest but not to the point it gets bloody stupid! The Leeds haters would have loved this, more ammunition for them.

Match Day:

HC Steve Evans made three changes, Bellusci, Carayol and Antenucci replacing Bamba, Wootton and Mowatt. Erwin was absent from the match day squad through injury.

The Match...

Two goal Mirco Antenucci gave Leeds a much needed win, the second being reminiscent of the goal he scored on the opening day of the season vs Burnley.

Bolton got a goal back and threatened to equalise but Leeds held on to claim the three points. The Italian striker will take the plaudits as he turned from zero to hero after some ineffective performances recently. The win takes Leeds up to sixteenth in the Championship.

Evans said post game; "We collectively took responsibility for a shambolic performance down at Brighton. We came back and I was so proud of the players.

“When you haven’t won in a while, it’s important that the nerves don’t get the better of you. We were a bit nervous in the last ten minutes and you could feel the tension, it’s nice to get over the line and get the three points.”

The Scot looked a very relieved man and so he should. A defeat, even a draw could have had serious consequences for him.




Sunday 6/3

Mirco Antenucci would not be drawn on if his future lies away from Leeds 11. The two goal striker has struggled to fit into the system preferred by HC Steve Evans lately and to be honest has been anonymous in games recently, yesterday he answered his critics with goals, the second an absolute beauty, akin to his effort earlier in the season.


When asked by a local radio reporter about his future he replied; "I would like to just finish the season with this club because for me it is a pleasure just playing in this stadium and this club". Seems like a goodbye to me.

Leeds' threadbare squad could be tested to the limit if the three players that picked up injuries during the 2-1 win over Bolton fail to recover in time for the next couple of games. Most doubtful are Lewis Coyle, stretchered off after a challenge with Spearing, the injury is still being assessed.

Liam Cooper is nearly certain to miss the Cardiff City game on Tuesday, Sully Doukara limped off at the end of the game with an ice pack strapped to his ankle, though he may be fit for the game.

The 'stunt' with a coffin may well have backfired on the protestors that organised it, social media seemed very much against the action. The sympathy of fans was more to supporting the club steward that had lost his son to illness, the action of the group of fans was seen by some as crass and by most as inappropriate in the circumstances. I give full support to the group, but some acts may need to be toned down. We also didn't appreciate the fans who support Cellino, using this as a publicity stunt to further gain their support, this by all means is disgusting and they should be ashamed.

Learn from this please!


Monday 7/3

Match winner Mirco Antenucci elaborated on his situation at Leeds by saying; "I wait (until) someone calls me. I have to finish the season good.

There are a lot of rumours about me but I would like to finish the season as it’s a pleasure playing for this club. After, I think to the future. I want to finish the season well and if someone from the club calls me, we talk.”

Footballers have a way of giving mixed messages, but it seems he's enjoyed his time so far at Leeds.

Forgotten man David Haigh's case has been taken up by the Human Rights Watch, the group is a non profit, non governmental human rights organisation. They have asked for his immediate release and the scrapping of laws that keep him incarcerated.

Steve Evans pre match presser; no loans coming in unless they are to be made permanent, group prepared for two tough away trips this week, need at least three points from these two games, still thinks (we can't, seriously) that a top ten place is achievable, Chris Wood will be involved either at Cardiff tomorrow or Blackburn on Saturday.

Doukara and Cooper could feature at Cardiff but Coyle is definitely out, young goalkeeper Peacock-Farrell will get his opportunity before the end of the season and lastly Ross Turnbull's season looks over after he had a minor operation on his injured ankle.

Sheffield Wednesday 0 Leeds 2 in a under 21 game, Walters and Mulhern with the goals.
Last piece today is a link to lufc trust on the accounts made public recently.

http://lufctrust.squarespace.com/blog/2016/3/7/the-leeds-united-accounts-an-analysis-that-nails-it.html.

It really is a interesting read on the financial situation of the football club. Worrying too.


Tuesday 8/3

Lee Bowyer has told talkSPORT that he hopes that his former club Leeds United return to the Premiership. As most fans of Leeds know he played for the club from 1996 to 2003, in his time the club sat at the very top table of English football and he played his part in the 'march' to the Champions League semi final in 'naughties'. He said; “They just need some stability, someone to go in there with a bit of money and try and get back into the Premier League because they deserve to be there, they are a massive club".

Cardiff City v Leeds

Match day:

Steve Evans made four changes, in came Berardi, Bamba, Murphy and Mowatt replacing Coyle, Cooper, Diagouraga and Carayol. Most people in the Norman Hunter suite at Elland Road where I watched the game were surprised with the amount of changes, especially Dave who had a good game on Saturday agaisnt Bolton. No Chris Wood in the eighteen.

The Match...

Unbelievably, yes on a Tuesday night too and after over thirty years, Leeds finally beat Cardiff City.

The 2-0 win was very unexpected by many including me, goals for Doukara in the first half and one from Antenucci right at the end was enough to end our poor record at Cardiff.

A good team performance akin with an outstanding display from Marco Silvestri kept the 'Bluebirds' out.

Not pretty but very determined by the Whites, an Ant and Douk Tuesday night takeaway!

A word too about the respectful minute of applause by both sets of fans to show their support for Mark Butterfield's family, the teenage boy passed away recently.

Men of the Match: Marco Silvestri, superb display and Lewis Cook, here, there, every flipping where. Silvestri became the second player picked in the Football League's Championship team of the week.

Earlier in the evening I met one of the 'legends' of the greatest Leeds United team Norman 'bites yer legs' Hunter, he is still up there in my eyes with the late Billy Bremner as one of the finest players to wear the white shirt. To this day his passion for the club has not diminished and what a pleasant gentleman he is. A night I'll never forget.


Wednesday 9/3

Sometimes you see a photograph you just need to share. Happiness is... Three points at Cardiff!

Steve Evans was very happy with yesterday's result too, he said; "The players deserve all the credit for that win. We learned some harsh lessons in the defeat to Brighton but I feel we've been in a good place since then."

He then added; "It helps when you have two centre-backs playing so well and the defence working together like that, while you have two strikers who just ran all night. That's the sort of attitude we need to show when you play for such a famous club."

Russel Slade, the Cardiff manager was less generous with his comments, post game as he lambasted the referee for dismissing Cardiff's claim for a penalty when the ball struck Bellusci's outstretched hand in the second half. "He got some decisions wrong, the referee. It's a stonewall penalty, I have to tell you that. That's what I was debating on the touchline, it's an absolute stonewall. His arms are out here. If that's not a penalty, I no longer know what the rules are."

News that the top price for a away ticket in the Premiership will be 'capped' at £30 from next season and run for three seasons, hopefully the Football League will follow suit very soon.

A victory for the fans without any doubt and about time clubs listened to the various groups campaigning for the reduction of ticket prices.


Thursday 10/3

A potential second bid from 'an unnamed' person was rumoured in the morning press, Leeds born MP John Mann tweeted that the stumbling block was the price Cellino wants.

The Italian paid Ken Bates 'over the odds' for Leeds and now wants to recoup the money he paid and what he has put into the club since the sale.

Liam Cooper and Liam Bridcutt both in the Scotland squad to face Denmark over the Easter weekend, Cooper has already played at under-17 and under-19 level for Scotland already, this though is his first full international call up. 'Coops' qualifies through his grandfather. Bridcutt has had other call ups but injury has previously ruled him out.

Steve Evans presser, expects a tough encounter with Blackburn, Lambert has improved them as their results show.

Chris Wood WILL be in the eighteen on duty on Saturday, may be changes on Saturday but Cooper doubtful, Coyle has a chance of playing, Evans hopes Sloth and Phillips stay at Leeds instead of going out on loan, even a top ten place would leave him 'disappointed', if Stokes was fit he may have been involved with the first team squad and Adeyemi's future lies in the hands of Cardiff City.

A much more happier Evans after the two wins in a week.

Fans are too.


Friday 11/3

Considering the problems that were highlighted by Sam Byram leaving in January and the 'non' contract talks with Taylor, Cook and Mowatt, a wise owner may look on the improved form of a certain striker and decide that, even if he is in his thirties it just might be a clever idea to speak to his representative before others clubs do, but this remember is Leeds United Football club.

Things aren't as simple as that in the Theatre of continual hope, but for me it's a no brainier. Many others share my opinion too.

When you attempt something like this, it takes a little time looking through the news so I can use it in this blog, so if I've used a quote or a story you've put out I would like to thank you, without it there wouldn't be a diary.

M O T

By Keith Ingham