Leeds United fans embark on new season with 'better vibe' but big question lingers - YEP 6/8/22
On Saturday, the energy at Elland Road will be worlds away from the atmosphere at the last Premier League fixture to take place at the home of Leeds United.
By Flora Snelson
The Whites’ season opener against Wolves marks an
opportunity to blow the cobwebs off a season of hurt and set the scene for a
new era under Jesse Marsch, who is now fully bedded in in West Yorkshire after
fighting fire for the first twelve weeks of his tenure.
Though LS11 is unlikely to play host to the stony silence
and unhinged euphoria which followed Danny Welbeck’s opener and Pascal
Struijk’s late headed equaliser back in May, the gravity of the occasion will
not result from the stakes of the game but by the weight of fans’ expectation
as they try Marsch-ball on for size for the first time.
There’s change in the air at Leeds United, and with so many
variables combining in the cauldron of Elland Road, it’s tough to know what to
predict.
Nathan Birch, 32, from Rotherham, has experienced all the
highs and lows of Leeds United, from a Europa League trip to Marítimo all the
way down to slogging through League One fixtures as a season ticket holder and
as he takes his seat in the South Stand on Saturday, he won’t be able to trust his
optimism.
“To be honest, I've got a better vibe going about this
season,” he said. “I mean but, then again, last season - finishing ninth under
Bielsa, I did expect us to build. I was wrong.
“I've got quite a good feeling. I think we're going to be around
about mid-table.
“We’ve sold two of our big superstars, Phillips and
Raphinha, but I think we have spent wisely from that money. We've got a bit
more depth this year.”
“I'm very excited to see Brenden Aaronson and Marc Roca on
Saturday.
“Everything came through Aaronson in the Cagliari game, it kind
of reminded me of when we got Pablo Hernández, so I'm hoping that this guy
could do it all season.
“I think Marc Roca is gonna be very, very good. He looks
very aggressive on the ball - it's something we need in the middle. I think,
with losing Phillips, he will be a massive, massive help for us in that area.”
The 2022/2023 SkyBet Fan Hope survey found that 74% of
Whites fans are satisfied with the club’s recruitment after United have added
five senior players and a pair of promising young prospects to their ranks.
Still, though, 63% said they think a striker is needed,
while 30% believe left-back is a position of priority.
This week, United chairman Andrea Radrizzani expressed
regret about the extensive transfer saga, which the Whites eventually lost,
surrounding Charles De Ketelaere. But Birch wonders if, before long, Leeds fans
will have forgotten the Club Brugge forward’s name.
“A big signing was tying the Joe Gelhardt contract down,
because I think there's gonna be a lot of interest and it’s going to be a great
season for him,” Birch said.
“I'd say he could get around about 12 to 15 goals - if he
gets the game time he deserves - and become one of our main strikers.
“He’ll be a breath of fresh air, like a new signing this
season.”
The other objective, however, can’t be compromised,
according to Birch.
“There’s got to be a left-back,” said Birch, who has been a
season ticket holder on and off for the past 15 years.
“We really, really struggled there last season.
“I know we signed Firpo, he's come highly-rated from
Barcelona but from what I've seen of the guy, he's not really done anything
yet.
“I know he's been in and out of the squad, injured, but then
again, that is a massive concern - if your main left-back is out for that many
games, don't play regularly.
“I know it was only a lower team, Blackpool, but I thought
Firpo looked absolutely excellent in that game. I thought ‘oh, we might go on
and see him play more, be a bit better’ but then he went and got injured now,
so I think we have to get a left back.
“It's a must.”
Whether or not fans can rely on their gut feeling about this
season, it’s too early to judge whether United are in for a rerun of their
barn-storming ninth-placed finish or if it’ll be squeaky bum time once more for
the run-in.
For now, though, Leeds fans are gearing up for a return to
the noise, the excitement and the camaraderie offered by a sold-out Elland
Road.
“Saturday is my day,” Birch said.
“You know, I get to get away from the wife, the kids, I get
to see the lads, have a few beers, and obviously Elland Road, everybody knows,
it's one of the greatest football grounds in the world. The atmosphere is
always electric.
“I'm looking forward to getting back and also just to see
how we handle this first game.”