Leeds Boo Boys Sharpen Knives

Article by Steve Griffin

As the last minutes during the Derby v Leeds fixture at Pride Park ticked by, you could sense the dissatisfaction of 4000 travelling support begin to seep out. This was another defeat against a team that produced little in footballing terms on the pitch bar the three goals they buried into the gaping Leeds net. Pearce pulled one back just before the break but this paled into insignificance and was merely just a consolation gesture.

As seconds ticked by, you could almost see the imaginary dark clouds creeping towards the stadium. Then the referee blew for full time signalling small pockets of booing from the contingent of well-travelled supporters. Not since Barnsley away have the fans showed such dissent towards their manager and those sights were firmly fixed on Neil Warnock. Brian McDermott paced a few yards towards what he has recently called ‘’Phenomenal fans’’ before turning on his head and making quickly his escape down the tunnel like a rabbit has spotted a fox.

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What has promised to be a resurrection of this once great club under new owners now appears to be nothing more than empty promises with lots of ribbons attached? GFH have so far made the right noises, spoke with the entire supporter groups including the Leeds United Supporters Trust (LUST), insisted that the club ingratiates itself back into the community of the city of Leeds and reduce tickets prices during some home matches. What GFH haven’t done is show the ability in attracting quality proven seasoned professional footballers to the club.

Leeds is in desperate need of an out and out forward, someone who can put a ball into the opposing net. What is needed is a Beckford, Chapman or another Becchio. Without such a player then this season is almost as over with the closing of Butlins. The owners have made it clear they are seeking out such a player but realistically they are too late. An acquisition of such a player will indeed need to be prised away from a premiership club on an emergency loan basis. The question is which player?

In the meantime, Brian McDermott is starting to feel the wisps of frustration from supporters. Most want Brian to do well and most accept that a serious push for promotion this season may be a push too far with the current paying squad. What the fans don’t want is a fight with relegation. Seems harsh at this stage of the season but on the back of the last 3 or 4 results this may not be unrealistic. The manager appears to have targets in his sight but for no apparent reason they seems to disappear off the radar and into over clubs squads. GFH have never publicly stated they have no cash and Brian has yet to hint he is being hindered by lack of funds.

Three new recruits, Murphy, Smith and Hunt have added very little to what can only be described as Warnock’s squad. Murphy and Smith are seen as work in progress,

potential, while Hunt was supposed to be the finished product that would excel in the Championship. For now, Hunt has failed to deliver.

The fans need and demand something, a bone will do but something is required. The board, the manager and the players cannot continue to enjoy such enormous support that has turned out for them since the Slovenian pre-season tour.

Pride Park witnessed the once a year procession of the Supporter group’s organised coaches from around the country wind its way out of the car parks past waving Derby stewards where only the naive wouldn’t think they were actually taking Michael. Each bus displayed its dedicated place of origin within Leeds and beyond. Buses full of supporters who are questioning where we are going with the current regime at Elland Road. The mood on the coach I travelled back home from Derby was fairly downbeat but also trying not to put the last few weeks of performances as the norm to what will be served up for the rest of the season.

In the meantime the fans frustrations are starting to spill over from the stands and onto the pitch. That was clearly evident last Saturday and don’t be under any illusion that Brian and the team did not see it. Restraint is required and many will do so but once the crescendo starts then there will be no holding back. The International break is now well into its first week and not a word of strengthening the team has emitted from the club.

Next home game is against fellow strugglers Birmingham City and another home defeat then will no doubt see the boo boys ranks begin to swell. 

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