Will someone please explain the fascination with Leeds?

[DJ Leon]

The game sold out weeks and weeks ago. There's a live beamback to the dogtrack. The phone-in mentions it every 30 seconds. It seems everyone is looking forward to the Leeds game as one of the fixtures of the season. But, WHY?

Sure they're a big club, but so is West Ham, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest, Wolves etc. Harty has asked several callers 'How will the Leeds team cope coming to a temporary stadium, getting changed in a portakabin?'. Personally, I should imagine they'll cope OK given that this is the team that lined up against Preston last weekend:

Sullivan, Kelly, Carlisle, Butler, Kilgallon, Richardson, Gregan, Walton, Pugh, Ormerod

Just who is it that people are so fervently looking forward to seeing? Personally, I will be looking forward to the West Ham and Wigan games much, much more.

And before anyone says, they played in the Champion's League a few seasons ago - remember Millwall were in Europe this season and Forest won it twice. In a row. Puts Leeds into perspective.

 

[Tighe11]

People seem to forget although Leeds where in the Champions league semis about four years ago its not the same team we will be playing its a bunch of nobodys matched together to play for a skint overrated Divison one side

 

[Beach Hut]

I have a fascination with Leeds:

We all hate Leeds and Leeds and Leeds.............

 

[fatboy]

The game sold out weeks and weeks ago. There's a live beamback to the dogtrack. The phone-in mentions it every 30 seconds. It seems everyone is looking forward to the Leeds game as one of the fixtures of the season. But, WHY?

Sure they're a big club, but so is West Ham, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest, Wolves etc. Harty has asked several callers 'How will the Leeds team cope coming to a temporary stadium, getting changed in a portakabin?'. Personally, I should imagine they'll cope OK given that this is the team that lined up against Preston last weekend:

Sullivan, Kelly, Carlisle, Butler, Kilgallon, Richardson, Gregan, Walton, Pugh, Ormerod

Just who is it that people are so fervently looking forward to seeing? Personally, I will be looking forward to the West Ham and Wigan games much, much more.

And before anyone says, they played in the Champion's League a few seasons ago - remember Millwall were in Europe this season and Forest won it twice. In a row. Puts Leeds into perspective.

Well said.

And from that team how many of them were established Premiership players? Sullivan and Kelly.

 

[Fran Hagarty]

I have a fascination with Leeds:

We all hate Leeds and Leeds and Leeds.............

I don't hate Leeds but I hate West Ham and I'm not looking forward to that match at all, unless, of course, we beat them!

 

[Lord Bracknell]

My fascination with Leeds is that I was born there - although I moved away when I was just five years old.

I've never managed to persuade myself to support them, although I did drag myself off to see a few games when they were playing at the very top of their best under Don Revie.

I guess part of the fascination of Saturday is how they will adjust to the Withdean portakabin experience. Sic transit gloria mundi.

 

[Cian]

My fascination with Leeds is that I probably know over 30 plastic, O'Leary era supporters, and my uncle has supported them since the early 1970's. And I want to slag the lot of them.

 

[NMH]

Recent Prem club. As are West Ham. As are Leics.

I don't see why this is in question, all of the sides we consider as establishment top-division clubs are going to attract the most interest.

I think we'll lose, so whatever is said about Leeds roster, they are going to be more accomplished than many we have hosted so far.

 

[Yorkie]

I worked in Leeds for many years and know lots of Leeds supporters (I was married to one for 21 years)

The main fascination is because they are the most recent team to plummet from the heights of the Prem. I know Leicester and Wolves did but we played them two years ago.

 

[Robot Chicken]

My family is from Leeds, my cousins support Leeds, I've been there countless times for family functions.

I would love it, just love it if we did 'em. Would give me bragging rights for months.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Leeds are a big name. Bigger than Leicester, Wolves, West Ham, and other clubs that have come down. What makes it better is many of their fans think they are an even bigger name than they actually are. Most other fans have a realistic view of their clubs place in the scheme of things. When Ridsdale was living the dream there was an attitude that Leeds will be taking their place at the high table with Real Madrid.

Well, welcome to Withdean.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

I reckon its a healthy dose of schadenfreude(or however you spell it).

 

[Northstander]

LEEDS!! WORST FANS I HAVE EVER MET!!

I live in Leeds and the amount of Piss taking I got for supporting "A shit team!" The fans carp on and on and on and on and on about how they should not be in this league as they are to big a team!

They refer to to the fact they reached the champs/League semi final etc etc etc etc etc etc

GOD I HOPE WE BEAT THIS TEAM!!

 

[Brovion]

As Yorkie says teams like Leicester, Wolves and Forest don't excite so much because we played them recently. And unlike West Ham (who have been poor for years and were never really 'big' anyway) only a few seasons ago Leeds were in the Champions' League and being tipped as the team to end Man U's hegmony. I think they are the biggest club in the Championship, granted that's on history and reputation not current form or players but I think it excuses the hype.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

Leeds should be one of the top 5 sides in the UK. Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool and then Leeds. It is the biggest side we have ever played at the Withdean.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool, Leeds

 

[Crawley Boy]

Personally, I should imagine they'll cope OK given that this is the team that lined up against Preston last weekend:

Sullivan, Kelly, Carlisle, Butler, Kilgallon, Richardson, Gregan, Walton, Pugh, Ormerod

They won with 10 men then did they?

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

In the evolution of things most teams find their place in the league. It is based on town size, wealth, leisure pursuits and history.

We are now ironically exactly where we should be mid to lower half of championship. Leeds should be in the top 5 of the premiership. They are having the worst time of their history but will probably be in the top 5 of the premiership again within 5 years.

 

[Northstander]

I think they are now begiining to find their feet, their defence is rock solid which is why they play so openly. I dont think they will go up this year but think they could wel challenge 2005-6

 

[Highfields Seagull]

I will love coming into the office on Monday if we beat them.