Sometimes, it pays to look back a few years, if only to remind yourself that – however bad a current Leeds United blip may be – it’s all happened before, and arguably worse. Looking at Luke Ayling’s face as he stepped up bravely for an interview after a dismal defeat at Notts Forest, you’d never guess that a few short months later, we’d be crowned Championship Champions by an impressive margin of ten points. But that’s tier two football, totally unpredictable and endlessly surprising.
Right now, after the euphoria of hammering Ipswich, we’ve just swallowed the second of two bitter pills with another narrow defeat at West Brom to add to an unfortunate reverse at Preston. But, although our infestation of trolls will be minded to indulge in some jubilant gloating, nobody can predict with any degree of confidence just how this nutty league campaign will pan out. That’s the lesson of history, both recent and not so recent.
I’m often guilty of rising to the bait put down by those who pretend to be Leeds fans but who pollute social media with their sniping negativity. Yes, I’ve resorted to “feeding the trolls”, on account of their maddening tendency to irritate – but what I don’t do is to present myself as an armchair coach, setting up my amateur opinions against those of the guys who will have to keep making the season-defining decisions. They’re the pros, our job is to support them – especially when so many out there seem intent on being as destructively negative as possible.
Look at Luke’s face again, bereft alike of confidence and optimism – but he battled on like the rest of the lads, and it ended in glory. And that could well be the way this season ends too. Personally, I don’t give a toss whether we go up as Champions (again), or in second place – or even if we earn promotion by breaking our Wembley hoodoo. And if we ultimately fail, let’s remember that’s the fate of most clubs, year after year. We have no divine right to success, and what the hell – we’ll be back for another crack at it next year, just as Bielsa’s boys were.
What we have to do is refrain from making a hard task even harder, by jumping on the negativity bandwagon. We have to stay positive, get behind the shirts (even those accursed blue and fruit salad ones) and provide actual encouragement – not some ersatz tactical theorising, or resorting to petulant criticism in an arena we’re not remotely qualified to pass comment on.
When I look at Twitter, or X, or whatever you like to call it, I do so frequently despair. Some of those guys and gals are clearly there for attention, or to build themselves up by coming on like some Poundland Pep Guardiola. It’s not an edifying spectacle, and certainly not what you need to see in the painful wake of another defeat. Especially when yet another crap penalty decision has further blighted an already annoying evening.
Let’s stick by the lads, it’s our most compelling duty as supporters (the clue’s in that word, guys). Let’s support – it makes a difference, and that’s what we’re there for, those of us who genuinely care. It’s easy to go on social media to whinge, but it achieves nothing. Amateurs will never change the methods and approach of any pro worth their salt, so the widespread and frequently vitriolic abusive criticism is exposed for what it is: petulant self-indulgence that serves only to make genuine fans feel even more pain and angst after a defeat. Most of us know this, but there is a noisy minority determined to make things worse than they need be.
And, quite frankly, we’re so much better than that. Or at least, we should be.
Marching On Together 💙💛💙
Life, Leeds United, the Universe & Everything 
I am a Leeds United fan for over 5o year’s now.
We will bounce back every team goes through a difficult patch.
I have every confidence with the manager and squad.
I other Leeds United fans will aggree with me.
Please let me know if you do.
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Very good words Rob. Good to have you back. The venom from some so called fans seems more like hatred at times.
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The implication seems to be that anyone who criticises the side’s recent performances (or questions Farke’s coaching and team tactics) is somehow not a genuine Leeds fan. Which of course is nonsense. It is perfectly possible to combine a critical posture – especially towards Farke – while wholeheartedly supporting the side during games. Some of us are genuinely of the opinion that Farke has not made best use of the playing resources at his disposal.
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And what does this amateur, unqualified “criticism” achieve, beyond garnering some (presumably sorely needed) attention for the amateur, unqualified “critic” concerned? Nothing, is the answer – and certainly nothing that comes within the definition of support. The motivation here is not to help the team or the club, but rather to set yourself up as some alternative viewpoint which you fondly imagine is somehow more valid than that of a pro who’s won this league twice in the last five years. That’s not wholehearted support – it’s just an unhelpful ego trip.
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Agree with all that Rob. Farke doing a great job from a tricky beginning .
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Hi Rob
Great to read your articles again. Fully agree with your comments, however we should be aware having an opinion on the performance, selection, substitutions etc etc is part and parcel of football.
Not everyone who criticises can be lumped together, we all feel the joy of victory and the despair of defeat. Lack of a plan b, late substitutions, failure to sign a left back 😂, I could go on.
Doesn’t make me a bad fan, and I’ll be there next home game regardless, and the lads will have my 100% support.
MOT and happy new year to all
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I must remember to give my doctor a good forensic critique next time he reviews my health. With his years of experience and medical training – what the hell does he know after all?? 🤣
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There are very few publications about LUFC (well you have to call them something and I am trying to be lady like) that I do read. Most of them start with the same old drivel, about loosing the current game and probably the last one as well, then when the last game they actually won was. Followed by any further scandal that can be dug up. By the time you actually find the information that led to the particular headline which you were foolishly drawn in with, it is nothing but a load of drivel put together by someone who claims to followed LUFC for many years and knows all but actually knows nowt.
Writing vitriolic comments does not help the cause. Would those kind of comments help you do your job better?
MOT
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Precisely, I could not agree more 👌
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Well said Rob, your common sense has been sorely missed.
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Thank you Janet, always good to hear from genuine like-minded Leeds fans. I’ve actually got an irate troll spamming the site at the moment, most upset with me as I’m not publishing his defence of his habitual trollery 🤣 Bless him, he’s most frustrated and is squealing “censorship!!” Sorry, Iain – you’re in the troll bin for good 👍
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Hi Rob,
Great to have you back as the voice of reason. I agree totally; the answer is in the word supporter. It makes me feel sick to the stomach that some so called fans are calling for Farke’s head. He has been by far the best news our club has had since the unfortunate departure of Marcelo The Great, and conducts our business with dignity and composure. His CV speaks for itself.
Good riddance to all such as Iain and may they stay in the troll bin forever. MOT
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Well said Your Maj, there’s plenty of room in the bin for any more trolls who want to waste their time trying to peddle their rubbish here 👍
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Rob, good to see you online again. Thanks for bringing some realism to our situation. Best wishes for the New Year. MOT
Steve
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