What’s the point of winning 16-0?? Waaaahhh!!
On July 10th in Italy, Leeds United stepped up their pre-season preparations by moving on to an actual game against opposition from outside the club – as opposed to doing the hard yards in training and playing practice matches within the squad. It’s a natural progression – it makes sense to start with a gentle work-out against a team that, perhaps, won’t provide the stiffest test. The game went well, two distinct United teams getting a 45-minute run-out apiece – and Leeds won by the unlikely score of 16-0, beating their previous best pre-season success by one. The players seemed to fight shy of scoring that 17th goal which might have caused the superstitious side of the owner’s nature to twitch spasmodically. It’s best to keep on the right side of Big Mass, my friend. But you have to say that this type of game is a worthwhile exercise at this stage of pre-season. As a means of getting into a match situation and preparing for sterner opposition later on, it’s ideal. Isn’t it?
Well, you wouldn’t think so, from some of the social media reaction. To read some of the comments from certain alleged Leeds fans, you’d think that Leeds United had broken into their homes and beaten up their apple-cheeked, silver-haired old Grandma, rather than comfortably winning a football match. There was an air of offended outrage very much in evidence. Some people, it would seem, feel distinctly happier when we’re losing – as, for instance we did at Harrogate Town last pre-season, or famously at Histon in the FA Cup a few years back. A 16-0 defeat would presumably have had these characters smiling happily – but a victory by that score opened up the floodgates for a tide of whinging and bitching from the kind of fans who would, quite frankly, feel more at home over the wrong side o’ t’hills, at the Theatre of Hollow Myths.
So what is it about certain Leeds United fans, that makes them react in this unhelpful and frankly irritating way? Is it a need to affect a certain world-weary, windswept and interesting, ostentatiously cynical attitude, in the hope that people will think they’re more complex and profound than they actually are? Do they perhaps feel compelled to act in a certain way in order to impress others? Certainly this type of reaction is typical of the sort of person, generally young, a bit stupid and desperate for attention, who feels the need to inflict their callow opinions on Facebook, Twitter et al. Some of the dafter Leeds United internet boards are likewise infested with these yappy types, falling over themselves to outdo the previous poster for “wit” or what they might see as a “cool” determination to approve of nothing, to criticise and carp on about everything. The abysmal WACCOE and the absurd Service Crew Forum are good examples of the type of “Go on, try to impress me” churl of a supporter, who hasn’t the first idea of what support actually means. It’s always a sad day for this type when there is some undeniably good news. After all, it’s so uncool to be happy and positive – isn’t it?
Sod off and listen to the Smiths, or Leonard Cohen – or go and support the Pride of Devon, why don’t you. At least those of us who are open to the possibility of a new era at Leeds United would be spared your formulaic whinging and clueless rants. And, next time Leeds United manage to win a game 16-0, could we perhaps expect a bit more in the way of originality from you? You know – a little less of the “Oh, were we playing the blind school?? Haw, haw, haw”. At times like this, Twitter seems to be exclusively about daft little prats recycling weak humour with a genuine belief that they’ll somehow get some credit for it.
I blame the parents. No, on reflection, I don’t – not entirely. I really blame the proliferation of social media, providing as it does an easy option, for dumb, idle, yap-mouthed kids with too much time on their hands, to create a sort of wall of white noise, preventing the rest of us from being able to have anything like a meaningful conversation or productive discussion. Yes, that’s what I blame. AND the bloody parents.
Roll on the next game and, with all due respect to Big Mass and his weird beliefs, I hope we win this one 17-0. We won’t, of course – because we’ll be playing a much better team, one that doesn’t need to borrow our goalie near the end just to keep the score down. But I do hope we keep the hammer down and win well. Because there’s nothing that upsets the kind of Leeds fan I’m railing against, more than a good, solid Leeds United win. The sort of win that used to be the whole point of being a fan – remember that?
Life, Leeds United, the Universe & Everything 
Hi Rob
Thought it was your birthday today. Welcome to the 53year old club. Have a good day
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It is indeed my birthday, and I was going to have the day off – but this negativity thing was gnawing away at me. I feel better now, even though I AM, sadly, 53.
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Having just read Cellino’s latest positive comments and your blog just sets me up for the weekend – thanks.
I prayed that this would all work out and now I am more excited about the new season than since well I can’t remember!
Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will this new Leeds United but 100% effort and some on field excitement will be a great start.
Players having to live in the city, buying the bus, overnights together before a game, a solvent club, new players etc. I tell you this guy is manna from heaven and will get us to the promised land. MOT for ever.
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Not only was it a boring 16 – 0 Rob ( should have been 20, sh*t tw*ts), I’ve just heard we are now free of debt…bastards. To really piss me off Cellino says we have a £20/30 war chest and are actually f**king buying back E.R. F**king gutted. I’m of to support Portsmouth, at least they are still in the sh*t. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
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Heh, heh 😉
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You can only play what’s in front of you. 16 goals is still good no matter who the oposition.
The gap between the teams is no different to when England play the likes of san Marino or lichenstein. And bloody hell sometimes they struggle to win 1 – 0
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WELL SAID that man! I am so fed up with those Leeds miserabalists who just seem to long to moan about something, even a positive like this. I have vastly trimmed down my follows on twitter, read with disbelief some of the comments after YEP online reports and on certain forums (fora?) which I frequent (less & less). The Samaritans helpline must be in meltdown.
Some people just want to be negative, they just can’t be anything else, and I feel sorry for them.
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Those who voice a degree of scepticism about both the “opposition” and the outcome of yesterdays match are all “youf” and/or addicted to social networking (which is very often anything BUT social). I’m neither (58, no twitter or facebook account), but I find the euphoric reaction to the result both absurd and worrying.
Yes it was a “good” result, and if it got players working as a team, great, but let’s not get carried away with the significance (“A new record for Leeds Utd” was a popular mantra), as it really has none. The coach needs to establish the credibility of his players as a squad, and that will only be done by competing (yes, in friendlies) with teams that will test our players, yesterday was quite clearly (even from Hockadays statement post match) one of those occasions.
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that should read “aren’t all “youf”, sorry
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Talking of massimo and eccentric behaviour. I did really enjoy his “i want a leeds bus & All the players must live in Leeds” thing on the bbc website. Mad as a bag of spanners, but you can see the twisted logic / grain of truth in what hes saying, and he’s already way more entertaing than 99% of chairmen. Also serious news in there about buying out the gfh scumbags, now having cleared most of the debt and looking at getting In 30mil funding.
Anyway hope he gets his Leeds bus. Don’t really have a problem with players living in harrogate or wherever though.
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http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/66828
On another point you can sign the above HM Petition to try and help David Haigh. Languishing in a shared cell in Dubai with out any recourse for seven weeks after a nasty stomach operation is quite disgusting and also having little food during Ramadan. I don’t know what he did or didn’t do as there is no excuse for this treatment.
I would like to think that we as Leeds fans believe in innocence until proved guilty. His poorly parents and his sister would appreciate your help.
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Will do – I may be blogging about this later, too.
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Hes rich
he’s a Tory
he went to the “right” school
he knows the “right” people
if they didn’t have anything on him, Cameron would be pulling strings and have him out by now
not saying the Dubai legal system is right, its obviously flawed.
but it would be flawed the other way around if he was on trial over here. see that witch Rebecca brooks
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And again, should read “not one of those” (Old age is getting to me!)
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16-0 nil and the snivelling McBadgekisser gone for 11 mil….i aint complaining guv
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Rob , remember when Wilko came and many many Leeds fans ranted and raved about him in Newspaper letters and on Radio phone ins , saying he was the wrong guy for the job , boring , negative , hoofball , he will take us back 10 years ect ect ect . Can you imagine if the same sort of social media was around then ?? My take on the whiners on Twitter ect is that they are mostly ( not all ) younger people that don’t really understand how a football club like Leeds operates and take their ideas off the likes of Championship manager , they probably came with their dads when very young , during the Odreary me years when we were relatively successful and spent big bucks and nearly won something . Its been downhill ever since , but the seeds where sown in their minds that this is how we should run the club . It is hard for them to come to terms with the fact we are where we are and now they have an easy way to vent their frustration via Twitter , Facebook and the like .
Its great to be able to read your well thought out blogs and get a reasoned perspective and opinion instead of the childish outpourings in the Social Media , slagging players ect before even seeing them .
Keep it up please .
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Nicely summed up, Mr Atkinson. We spend so much time banging on about not putting weak opposition to the sword, don’t we? So, when we do, we get this. I copped for loads of “What? Their Under-8s, was it?” etc…, but at least they weren’t Leeds fans. It was a workout, nothing more, but I was rather pleased to see the result, all the same! Let’s see what goes on Sunday..
MOT
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Well said that man, you are not the only one pig sick of all the bitching whinging and moaning it drives me crackers. Just SUPPORT the club for Christs sake!
About time we ALL stuck together after all it is supposed to be Leeds UNITED. The only way a club can be successful is if the Chairman Head Coach and fans are all pulling in the same direction. So please give Cellino and The Hock a chance and see where it takes us Forza Leeds
p.s I do quiet like the Smiths though and Joy Division.
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I broadly agree with you about those who seem to wallow in negativity, and see it in virtually every development concerning Leeds United. But I can’t let you get away with perpetuating the lazy notion that The Smiths and Leonard Cohen are depressing to listen to, Rob. Laughing Lennie, in particular, has produced some brilliantly wry and witty songs. Who else could make a lyric that mentions “anal sex and crack” into a thing of wonder? MoT
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Each to his own – I like a nice bit of Gilbert & Sullivan, myself. But I have to say the Smiths and Mr Cohen make my ears bleed.
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Nice one Rob. Have followed you for a while now and love the wit and incisiveness of your articles. Followed LUFC since I was mesmerised by the 7-0 versus Saints when I was a lad. Not sure what ‘the lads’ have to do to please some ‘fans’. Feeling good about next season…a few quid on promotion makes it all the more interesting although I can see Mr Cellino is playing the ‘longer’ game.
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Great post which perfectly sums up the way I feel. Couldn’t believe it last night when I read some of the negative comments after the win. We don’t need these fools ” supporting ” our club. Go away and find another hobby.
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Great win but lets not get carried away. It’s not like we were playing Brazil. oh wait.
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Yep, that one’s done the rounds as well!
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Rob time to change the old saying about pleasing people, now to read; You can please all the people some of the time.. Some of the people all of the time.. And some of the miserable gits none of the time because to even have a little joy in their lives would ruin their pleasure at being miserable all the time….. Sad but true..
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Right on Rob, unfortunately all great clubs carry their share of naysayers and doom mongers it comes with the territory, but having said that I have to say I get a chortle or three if not a guffaw from reading some of the posts and ripostes from these forums namely the Y.E.P, it just goes to show the gap between intelligent debate and schoolyard name calling is growing ever wider, keep up the good work.
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Pattaya White – you can’t trivialise Championship Manager I pride myself on having won every club honour available and ran to a financially viable budget during my time as manager of our beloved club.
Seriously – Well said Rob – following Leeds blogs lately is like listening to the Jeremy Vine show – half of the people are absolute tw@ts and half of them are saying what you want to say…..your more or less in my latter
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Rob,
When was the last time you experienced the pleasure of being active during the transfer window? Getting millions more than you bargained for while selling your best palyer, as opposed to half the value and thus actually having the cash to buy the stadium back?
Had Flowers or any of the others bought the club, I wager that we would be listening to endless talk about debt restructuring and the need to balance the books, hence the loan signings of league two players.
I for one am happy for a change and this feeling of optimism is a welcome bloody change. The gripers can carry on forever feeling unsatisfied if they want, but at least we are beginning to resemble a football club at last.
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16-0 , 11 million pound , 5 or is it 6 new signings , bloody hell rob its been a fantastic week to be a Leeds fan .. some people are never happy..
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pattaya,got it dead right,sums my boy up exactly.now lives in sunderland,moans about l.u.f.c all the time(still says he supports mighty whites),told him to support makams if he wants success(joke).Good luck on being 53 rob,great articles.andy a
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To be fair I think we would all moan if we had to live in sunderland
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What’s all this about our Massimo buying a new coach for our team? has he fallen out with Hockaday already.
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Arf!!
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Nice one Rob, and don’t forget about all the criticism regarding the new players……… You know, there cheap, Italian and not English……… For fuck sake, it’s a transfer window and Leeds are buying players😊, isn’t that we’ve been waiting for and complaining about for years now. Please f-off and take your so called support somewhere else.
Happy Birthday Rob keep um coming😊
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Back in the black 4 more signings on the way and money to spend been looking forward to this sun rise for years fuck the sun block and sun classes I’m in me birthday suit that’s for you birthday boy hoping to get sunburned and I don’t give a shit about the doom and gloom merchants that say it’s going to snow MOT
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Thought we’d got a day off from you – glad you thought better of it
Don’t know about you, but being Leeds is bloody good right now. Onwards and Upwards!
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I like Leonard Cohen. Two weeks ago the Daily Telegraph voted him best act ever at Glastonbury. I can’t stand The Smiths and a few years ago VIZ announced that Morrissey is (officially) a Tw*t – so it must be true!
Leeds United will do what they will in the new season but I think Mr Cellino can see, at the very least, that if we get promoted then his investment will show a serious profit – although I am not suggesting for a moment that his only interest is to make a big profit and walk away – unlike the previous two sets of owners who always appeared to be at Elland Road for a fast buck and nothing else.
Let’s wait and see what the new season brings but for today let’s just enjoy a 16-0 win.
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there was no point playing such a small team . we must of gained next to no fitness from the game and some confidence but after half time we won’t of got anymore from the game. hope its the only team this bad . we might as well of played against our youth team
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Thanks for helping make my point for me. I should “of” known somebody would…
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Allright Rob , if they’ve nowt else to do apart from moan about us winning a game then they aren’t worth worrying about . At there age they should be out chasing birds , boozing , gambling and fighting . Not wasting there time on twitter etc . Not sure what the season will bring but can’t help liking Big M . Enjoy a couple on your bday .
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Hi Rob,
Hope you are having a great birthday. This is my first time responding to your blog, but as usual you are spot on .Let’s see where we are at the end of September and then we can make a judgement on the progress made, new signings etc. At the moment it is all positive and that is no bad thing after the last ten years. I hope that we manage to keep hold of Matt Smith who I think will have a more pivotal role to play this season, given the chance. My one reservation as a white exiled in Geordie land, and time will tell, is that we do not overdo the foreign element at ER, something that may have happened not too far away from where I am now and which personally, I believe affected the ‘local’ team up here. Keep up the good work and here’s to what will surely be an interesting season
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Hi rob leeds break record 16-0. now out of debt new players in deadwood out. We’re going to buy our own bus. Big mass is building a close knit club & for me deserves a lot of credit ,,,,MOT
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sorry rob i am a Leeds united supporter that wants to see us in the prem where Leeds belong and being a force to be reckoned with,with a team and some local young talent thats always been there.
Not happy with the basics if I was I would support Stoke .
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That sounds uncomfortably like glory hunting or, at best, fair weather support.
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Mostly agree and I suspect this “culture” is also connected to the ease with which our fans boo our own players………I don’t think that’s helped us at all over the last few years
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To be fair, we’ve always been a hard crowd like that – as far back as Taffy Yorath and even further. But this social media revolution has taken it to a new level – and not in a good way.
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Great blog as ever Rob…happy birthday…..the Italian is a revelation…great times ahead…the guy is just simply taking it all apart and starting all over again…had to be done…simples!
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Happy birthday mate. Couldn’t agree more Rob . Not so long ago a team like this would have given us a game. What is wrong with these so called supporters. Ok not a good team but this stage of pre season is all about fitness and getting the playing pattern right which means possession of the football. Would they rather us play barcelona and touch the ball four times in 90 mins. Clueless . Though yes they probably would then they could sing Hockaday out . If they don’t have anything constructive to say why bother saying anything at this stage. If we’re getting hammered every week fair enough but give the new regime time and support your fuckin team. M.O.T
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Couldn’t agree more Andy – a very apt summation. I thought it was significant too that Popey said we were playing it on the floor for a lot of the time, with fast passing. That sounds good to me, and a new method of play needs to be accompanied by the confidence to employ it. What’s better for generating confidence than arseholing someone – anyone – 16-0??
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Your description of these twitter people rob.
The ultimate one of that sort, Adrian “proffesional wanker” Durham and his mate the Chelsea supporting “yorkshire man” were banging on about the 16 nil and forcing players to live in Leeds this afternoon.
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I have to say Rob, as a frequenter of newsnow and a Leeds United page on Facebook coupled with the easy stories old journalistic soaks care to drunkenly scribble (oh shit, got a story due tomorrow and haven’t written a word! I know!!! ‘We all hate Leeds scum’) I mainly just scroll past everything that isn’t the official site or at a push the yapping post, stopping occasionally to question some banal retard on Facebook . But I will always read your blogs, funny, insightful and honest. Keep it up!!
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Extremely kind of you Chris – and greatly appreciated – MOT
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Cheers on your birthday Rob but that White House POS looks a little austere – I guess no strippers? My Millwall buddy that owns a pub in Seattle said he would look after you.
I am encouraged with the first result and that I hope all the players will do themselves good in all the future pre-seasons to prove what they have for the club.
Living in the city, eating dinner ( excl pudgy Paddy) together and buying a LUFC bus rather than hiring one from Wallace Arnold is how a club should be run.
MOT ( Go Argentina!)
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I bet your Millwall buddy would be chuffed to bits to afford me some hospitality, New Den style 😉 Totally agree that Big Mass is striking the right note, so far. Shame about Bam Bam Naylor though.
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I think a lot of it is being down to being eternally disappointed watching Leeds. Even when things are going well, we know something is just around the corner that will bring us crashing back down to earth with a shuddering bump. It is probably difficult for a lot of fans to break free from the scepticism that is following Leeds United, especially those that are under 20 and can probably only remember what has gone on in the last twelve years at the club.
I wouldn’t put it down to teenagers alone though, there are enough people whinging and whining who are old enough to remember and for some reason are still stuck in the 60’s and 70’s.
I am often gobsmacked at the level of unintelligence of those commenting on twitter and some of the Leeds Facebook groups.
Me personally, I am a glass half full person rather than one that has got an hole in the bottom and is quickly emptying. I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next month leading up to the game at our old friends at the New Den and then into the season.
The one thing I love about following Leeds is it is never boring.
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I must say I could not agree more. Having been a Leeds fan since the days of Bobby Collins, football is like life, good times, bad times. But a true fan hopes for the best, even through the very worst of times. A friendly is a practise game only ,to fine tune squad and team, but there is nothing wrong in building up to the better games gradually. Everyone needs to practise to improve, and that applies to any sport. So just be satisfied with a run out against minnows, and look forward to the next sterner test! MOT
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You’re just as bad moaning about people moaning ! That’s all you’ve really done there.
If you’re comfortable with the appointment of David Hockaday then fine – but people who are not fine with this appointment have a right to voice their opinion too, that’s all this negativity is about at the moment having been shafted by Bates and then GFH in close succession people are fed up.
Let’s see if Dave is master stroke or another almighty waste of time !
MOT.
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With all due respect – what utter bollocks.
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Mr Cellino should note that in order to own and operate the clubs own bus/coach, Leeds United would have to obtain a public service vehicle operators licence, which is a lengthy and costly/boring process. This often pointless red tape is the reason football clubs hire coaches/buses rather than own them. Also, if there is a problem mechanically with said bus, a large operator can send a replacement. If you only have one bus and one driver, you are left feeling a little vulnerable. If you were to rent from a fleet, those matters would be almost insignificant. By the way, I am excited about the changes at Leeds United and I truly hope this is a big turning point.
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Don’t drive across any narrow bridges when you’re pissed out of your mind Joe !
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