Journalist Conor McGilligan has slammed Leeds chief executive Angus Kinnear following his comments on the club’s supporters.
In Leeds’ final home game of the season, Kinnear decided to use his programme notes as a platform to urge fans to create an atmosphere that can allow Jesse Marsch’s players to perform without any sort of mental burden and refrain from creating a “tension that can naturally haunt such fixtures”.
He wrote: “While this season has been one we have had to endure rather than enjoy, I don’t think there is a minute of any one of our matches where anyone could doubt the spirit or commitment of the team. Equally, there has not been a point where the support inside Elland Road or on our travels has wavered.
“We now only have 180 minutes left to remain united and create an environment where the team can play unburdened by the tension that can naturally haunt such critical fixtures, and simply be inspired by the most vocal support in the league.”
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Indeed, the scenes inside the Yorkshire club’s home ground when Pascal Struijk snatched a point in the 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion underline the passion the supporters have for their club, so choosing to essentially call them out was certainly a strange move from Kinnear heading into such a vital fixture – and McGilligan wasn’t impressed.
He wrote on Twitter: “Asking more of the fans, the only positive and constant of this season when you’ve failed on and off the pitch, is another ridiculous take.”
TIF Thoughts on Kinnear and Leeds…
Perhaps the comments were derived from the fact that Leeds had seen a player sent off in each of their previous matches – as Luke Ayling saw red at Arsenal before Dan James did the same at home to Chelsea – and that he felt the team were amped up by an uber-passionate crowd, but that’s only natural.
After 16 years, the Whites were promoted to the Premier League in 2020 and in just their second season back, the fans won’t want to have to relive the anguish of dropping out of the top flight once again.
Gary Neville recently shed light (20:56) on the potential financial ramifications of relegation and the effect it could have on the club, and the Leeds faithful have responded with anxiety and aggressiveness, as can be expected.
It was certainly a nervy encounter on Sunday, and with a trip to Brentford to come on the final day, this issue will most likely be parked, however, Kinnear could face serious backlash in the summer for his comments – especially if Marsch’s men go down.
AND in other news, Spotted: Journalist reveals Leeds man fuming after FT at Elland Road