Leeds United

Lewis Deighton
Fan writer

Leeds will look to equal their 1973-74 record of 18 straight games unbeaten at home when they face Rotherham on Saturday, but the atmosphere at Elland Road this season would suggest otherwise.

It has been described as “weaker” and “below par”, with some visiting fans even being the more vocal at times. As a 23-year-old who’s had a season ticket since 2006-07, it hasn’t felt the same since covid restrictions were lifted. The buzz at every home game throughout both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons is something I’ve barely felt since.

The club set a record for season ticket renewals in April last year, with 98% opting in for this season, and have an average attendance of 36,033. There are even plans to expand the stadium’s capacity to 50,000, with over 21,000 fans on a season ticket waiting list. So, why has there been a decline in the atmosphere at Elland Road? It may be very straightforward.

Leeds were promoted in 2020 and come 2021 finished ninth in the Premier League. Due to covid, fans couldn’t attend games during this time, returning in 2021-22 when Leeds narrowly avoided relegation, and were relegated the following season. In short, supporters missed out on the peak of an upwards trajectory, and have endured a downwards one since returning.

Perhaps this season - despite Leeds flying high - there are still post-relegation blues - from playing Manchester City to playing Millwall – though in my experience Leeds have never been a fan base that rely on playing big teams to get Elland Road rocking. Is it more a case of there’s no need for the ‘12th man’ because home form has been so good? Away form hasn’t been so good, but atmospheres have been great.

Whatever the reason, Elland Road still retains one of the best atmospheres in England, but one of isn’t good enough.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke prepares to makes it six league wins on the bounce when bottom of the Championship Rotherham United visit Elland Road (Sat, KO: 3pm).

Here are the best lines from his news conference:

• Jamie Shackleton (illness) will train today and may return to the matchday squad. Dan James (groin) is improving but will not be available. Pascal Struijk (adductor) and Stuart Dallas (femur) remain side-lined.

• Goalkeeper Karl Darlow (thumb) will return to team training in a fortnight.

• New loan signing Connor Roberts is available but the indication is he will not start.

• Farke has won his second Manager of the Month award this season after four straight league wins in January and said: "I could do with winning this trophy because it means we're having really good spells. It's a recognition for the club, the team, the staff. I'm happy for them."

• On Luis Sinisterra's permanent move to Bournemouth: "It was hard to re-integrate Luis in August once he'd made it clear he wanted to leave. As we say in Germany, when you put food in the microwave, it never tastes as if it's fresh. Overall it's a good decision and beneficial for our future. I never made a secret that I really rate Luis from a football point of view. We wish him all the best."

• Farke was critical of the fixture scheduling and says it is at odds with the messages that the game says it wants to promote: "I like that we are attractive as a club but in the future, we need some obvious decisions. We always have these mental health awareness days, wellbeing of players and staff, but when it comes down to business, it doesn't matter. I'm struggling to understand this. When every point counts, we have to play four games in 10 days. I'm not sure if this is fair play."

• On abuse suffered by managers and players like Patrick Bamford, Farke says fans turning up at the striker's house was "beyond the line" and added: "Once it has been crossed we all have to stand together. What happened was unacceptable.”

• Finally, Farke wished the club's owners all the best with their San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII against Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. “My fingers are crossed that they can win the game. It won’t be easy as they have Taylor Swift on the other side. I’d rather hear our fans singing Status Quo and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.”

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth have agreed a £20m fee with Leeds United to turn Luis Sinisterra’s loan move into a permanent deal.

Sinisterra, 24, has made 17 appearances for the Cherries after joining them in September, scoring three goals.

On signing permanently for Andoni Iraola's side, the Colombian said: "I’m really happy to make this move. I’m excited to play for Bournemouth for the long term.

"I feel really comfortable here and the fans are really nice. When I meet them in the streets, they show the love.

"I’m really happy here and I’ve settled really well; I’m looking forward to the rest of the season."

Bournemouth are 12th in the Premier League and face Fulham on Saturday.

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone, BBC Sport

Bournemouth have agreed a £20m fee with Leeds United to turn Luis Sinisterra’s loan move into a permanent deal.

It is understood the fee is less than the one initially in place when the loan was done, but this allows an announcement to be confirmed in the next 48 hours.

Sinisterra, 24, has made 17 appearances for the Cherries after joining them in September, scoring three goals.

The Colombian joined Leeds from Dutch side Feyenoord in 2022 on a five-year deal.

Image source, Getty Images

Daniel Farke has been named Championship manager of the month for the second time this season after his side completed a perfect start to the year.

The Whites racked up four consecutive wins in January against Birmingham City, Cardiff City, Preston North End and Norwich City.

The Leeds boss also won the award in November.

Farke's side are currently third in the league, behind second-placed Southampton and top-of-the-table Leicester City, having picked up 60 points from 30 matches so far this season.

Leeds play bottom side Rotherham on Saturday at 15:00 GMT.

Patrick Bamford has explained how Leeds had to put security at his house following the reaction to his penalty miss against Newcastle last season.

• Listen to My Mate's A Footballer on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Patrick Bamford says a sports psychologist helps him remain in "a state of equilibrium".

The Leeds striker has found his way back into Daniel Farke's plans recently and told the My Mate's A Footballer podcast how his support team makes a big difference to his wellbeing.

"One example would be I was getting stressed about when you first become a dad and the baby - pretty much all it sees is the mum. The dad is kind of, I don't want to say irrelevant, but there's definitely more of an attachment to the mum for the first few months.

"It wasn't even something that worried me but it came up in conversation with him and he basically put everything at ease about it, saying it's normal, don't worry about it.

"He has quite interesting analogies and methods of thinking about things in a different way. All of a sudden, when you sit back and think about it that way you're like 'oh well, it's not really that big of a problem is it?'"

Bamford has 55 goals in 175 games for Leeds but, after a number of injury problems, has struggled to regain his place as the main striker for the Whites.

He says his sports psychologist has helped him navigate difficult times.

"There's something he's mentioned before of perception versus perspective," Baamford said. "My perception of something is my perception which doesn't mean it's right or wrong but it's probably different to someone else's perspective of it.

"But then if I look at it from a different perspective and ignore what my attachments or feelings are towards it and just look at it as a plain and simple thing, then you think 'come on, what are you even getting riled up about?'

"On a day-to-day basis it's making sure you're in a state of like equilibrium where you're just balanced, you're not too high or low, you're relaxed with everything.

"He's a strong believer in when one thing's going right, everything seems to go right. So, it's controlling what you can control - whether it's at home, making sure all that stuff is good - and then the focus turns towards the game the day before and the day of the game."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope, BBC Radio Leeds

After a five-minute cameo in December for a 1-1 draw with Coventry City, Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt had to wait seven weeks to make his 50th appearance for the club.

His 49 minutes off the bench were arguably his best in a Leeds shirt as he helped the Whites to a 4-1 FA Cup replay victory at Plymouth Argyle.

His close control, dribbling, touch, aggression and willingness to defend were all on display, as was his venomous left foot which smacked an exocet of a shot against a post and prompted manager Daniel Farke to suggest afterwards: "He could even kill a cow with a strike if he hits it perfectly.”

Leathering the leather to make more leather, if you like!

Signed from Wigan Athletic in 2020 as a teenager, the now 21-year-old blossomed under former head coach Marcelo Bielsa. Bielsa's strict fitness and diet regime allied with a commitment to youth development helped Gelhardt to elevate his profile as the new shiny thing at Leeds.

Indeed, two goals in 35 Premier League appearances included an equaliser at Chelsea in a dramatic 3-2 defeat and a crucial winner at home to Norwich City as United were scrapping for points under Jesse Marsch to stay in the division in 2022.

His career at Elland Road, where he is contracted until 2027, then stalled and he was sent on loan to Sunderland in the Championship in the 2023 January transfer window. He scored three goals in 20 appearances while helping the Black Cats to a play-off semi final in which Luton Town triumphed on their way to promotion.

The Stadium of Light experience may have propelled Gelhardt up the striking pecking order but Farke has been sparing in his use of him to date.

It is therefore refreshing to be talking about the lad they call Joffy again - and about how he can make a cow’s backside feel like it has been hit by a banjo.

After Leeds beat Plymouth Argyle in their FA Cup replay clinched a fifth-round tie at either Aston Villa or Chelsea, we asked you to have your say on the result.

Here are a selection of your comments:

Andrew: Promotion is 100% the target. A decent run in the FA Cup could prove to be a major distraction from the job in hand. We still need to kill teams off earlier as far too many opportunities go amiss, but as a Leeds fan you always prepare for the unexpected.

Jeff: Very entertaining match and thanks to the ref who let it flow - (all) others, please take note. Marching on together Leeds... Anyone who really cares about football must want them back where they belong - in the Premier League - and an overdue visit to Wembley would be nice too!

Vince: Leeds have become a very good team and not through luck. The board, manager, players and fans are as one. I've not felt this togetherness since the late 60s and early 70s. Long may it continue.

The latest episode of the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast has landed.

BBC Radio Leeds' Jonny Buchan and Adam Pope are joined by Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix to discuss the Whites' 4-1 victory over Plymouth in the FA Cup fourth round.

Hear from Leeds boss Daniel Farke and forward Georginio Rutter as they react to their replay victory.

Listen to the full episode here

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds midfielder Ilia Gruev says the Whites "deserve" the chance to face a "big" Premier League club in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Tuesday's replay win over Plymouth has set up a meeting with the winner of Aston Villa against Chelsea, who face each other in their own replay on Wednesday night.

"I think we deserve it and we saw the quality," Gruev told BBC Match of the Day post-match. "We are really looking to playing against a big Premier League club."

Gruev was named player of the match during the televised tie for an all-action midfield performance, playing all 120 minutes in the pounding Devon rain.

"They (Plymouth) didn't get any chances but they scored off a set piece," he added. "We really wanted to get though to the next round.

"It's going to be a big game against Chelsea or Villa. Aston Villa are doing so great and Chelsea are such a big club."

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke says he "loves the mentality" of his players after they scored three goals in extra time to see off Plymouth Argyle in their FA Cup fourth-round replay.

Argyle equalised late on in normal time to cancel out Wilfried Gnonto's opener, but goals from substitutes Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter sealed the win, before a Ryan Hardie own goal added some gloss to the scoreline.

"Good win," Farke said post-match. "I'm really happy and the lads are buzzing in the dressing room. We're happy that we're through after a difficult game.

"I think it was a really dominant away performance - top class. I was happy with my lads. We dominated this game, created so many chances. We hit the post twice, hit the crossbar.

"Second half, we had 82% possession. It's not possible to have even more.

"We allowed them to score from a wide free-kick, for that we had to dig in for 20 minutes. In the end I think a well-deserved win and also a massive win in terms of the mood, spirit and confidence.

"It is important we are in the last 16 of the cup. I love the mentality."

Did you know?

• Leeds have reached the FA Cup fifth round in consecutive seasons for the first time since doing so for a run of six campaigns between 1994-95 and 1999-00.

• United have won seven of their eight games in 2024 (D1), more than any other side in the top four tiers of English football. Their seventh victory of 2023 came in August - in their 31st match.

• Leeds became the first team on record (since 2013-14) to have two different players - Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter - come off the bench to both score and assist a goal in an FA Cup match.

Listen back to full BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary on BBC Sounds

How are you feeling about the next round, Leeds fans? And who would you rather face out of Aston Villa and Chelsea? Have your say here

Adonis Storr, The Roaring Peacock, external

As the San Francisco 49ers won the NFC Championship – punching their ticket to this year's Super Bowl – a familiar face was pitchside. Leeds United's Paarag Marathe is a chairman like none in recent memory at Elland Road.

Leeds ownership troubles date back to 1996. Caspian Group was a media production company with no experience in football when they bought United. Peter Risdale's subsequent Icarus impersonation left the club ruined.

The decades that followed brought owners who proved almost entirely incompetent and often loudly unprofessional.

"The best chairmen and owners are the ones who don’t have to talk too much," Marathe said last July after the 49ers takeover was announced. "The most important thing for me is hiring people who are very good at their job."

Technical director Gretar Steinsson and transfer specialist Nick Hammond were brought in. Daniel Farke followed, along with Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and, in January, their Welsh compatriot Connor Roberts on loan.

So far, hiring people "very good at their job" seems to be working.

Leeds fans will look at the 49ers and hope success breeds success, but looking back at past ownership, it already feels very different at Elland Road.

Image source, Getty Images

Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix has been discussing Leeds United's defensive line-up on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast: "With the line-up, if you re-wound to the start of the season and somebody had told you the back four would be [Junior] Firpo, [Ethan] Ampadu, [Joe] Rodon and Archie Gray, you'd be thinking 'something's gone badly wrong', but it's working."

BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope said: "Is there case to say now that Ampadu is second-choice defender? He has been so good and the stuff he can do from that position - like the ball he played to Bamford in particular - it is really destructive to the opposition. It gets Leeds out of all sorts, he plays that ball as a midfielder in that part of his game, but defensively his interception qualities and reading of the game is superb.

"That also frees up a midfield role as we saw with Archie Gray moving in there for the last five minutes or so [against Bristol City], if [Sam] Byram moves back into right-back and Firpo claims his kingdom at left-back for any length of time, then it might make sense that Ampadu stays there because at the moment you don't want to shake him and Rodon away from each other."

Rix added: "My reading would be, when we're playing a team like Bristol City, playing Ampadu in defence it gives us something else going forward and we don't necessarily need his defensive qualities. Whereas when we play Southampton or Leicester, having a specialist in that position is probably required, but we'll see what Daniel Farke does because he always likes to surprise us."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

With Dan James currently forced into a spell on the sidelines after a hip injury he picked up against Norwich City, BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast has been discussing who is the best option to replace him in midfield between Wilfried Gnonto and Jaidon Anthony.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope, BBC Radio Leeds

Leeds United head to Plymouth Argyle for the game nobody wanted - a six hundred mile plus midweek round trip for an FA Cup fourth round replay - in a month which includes a repeat journey to Home Park, another to Swansea City and already a victorious Friday night at Bristol City.

If United do come through the tie then a midweek visit to either Chelsea or Aston Villa will close out February.

Manager Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media about the FA Cup replay and here are the key points from his news conference:

• Connor Roberts is ineligible until the weekend's visit of Rotherham United in the Championship.

• Jamie Shackleton (illness) is a major doubt. Dan James (groin) and Pascal Struijk (adductor) remain side-lined along with Karl Darlow (thumb) and Stuart Dallas (femur).

• On Shackleton, who is out of contract, Farke said "we will look after Jamie" when asked about the player's future. Farke says the 24-year-old is "best in a Leeds United shirt".

• After scoring the winning goal at Bristol City the suggestion is that Willy Gnonto may start again at Home Park to keep his momentum going.

• On the FA Cup, Farke added: "We have a chance to go into the last 16 teams, we have a chance to win this cup. We are up against a really good team in Plymouth. We have to be on it."