The Times chief football writer Henry Winter has penned a gushing tribute to Leeds, manager Marcelo Bielsa and their supporters, and claims that the “Premier League needs” them back.
Leeds are closer to the Premier League than they’ve ever been since relegation in 2004. They’re currently in second with four games to go, and there’s a three-point buffer between them and Sheffield United in third.
Writing in The Times, Winter puts forward a passionate argument as to why the English top-flight would be a better place with Leeds back in it.
“It needs the mystique of Marcelo Bielsa, a manager so beloved by Leeds fans that two of them are in a recording studio working on Bucket Man as a musical tribute to his match-day seat of choice.
“There are some great travelling supports in the Premier League, such as Manchester United and Newcastle United, among others, and Leeds would be a welcome addition on the road as well as with the atmosphere that they generate at Elland Road.
“Leeds fans would represent an antidote to some of the ills besetting the Premier League. They are the opposite of the glory-hunters swooning because of a club’s prominence. They are the antithesis of what Roy Keane famously termed the “prawn-sandwich brigade”. Supporting Leeds is a passion passed on from generation to generation.”
OPINION
Leeds fans will absolutely love this. Theirs is a club who has had its fair share of being looked down on by others. And their fall from grace was harsh and long. Marcelo Bielsa has now got them back on the brink of a return to the top, and the Leeds fans are currently sweating every kick of every game that has an effect on their promotion hopes. This weekend gave them a massive boost as they beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 and Sheffield United fell to a last-minute equaliser against Millwall. Fine margins, but that goal has given Leeds a three-point buffer and some stark maths – 10 points from their last four games will see them promoted. They play Wigan at home on Friday and then travel to Brentford on Monday and six points would really boost belief that they can hold onto second. The toughest game is Aston Villa after Brentford but they play the form team at home and that could make all the difference. If other results go their way, a win against Villa could see them promoted and the noise at Elland Road that day will be immense.