In Leeds We Trust: It’s an encouraging sign that we have a date for fans’ return to Elland Road

In this week’s column, the Board of the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust look back on the last two games and look forward to May 17 - the date when fans will finally be allowed back inside Elland Road, in time for the last game of the season.
Leeds fans could once more be in the stands at Elland Road by May. Picture: Tim Goode/PA Wire.Leeds fans could once more be in the stands at Elland Road by May. Picture: Tim Goode/PA Wire.
Leeds fans could once more be in the stands at Elland Road by May. Picture: Tim Goode/PA Wire.

Our last two matches couldn’t have been any more contrasting in terms of the way our opponents took the game to us.

The game against Wolves last Friday was possibly the most frustrating game we’ve seen since, well, the last time we played against Wolves.

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In both our games against the Midlands side this season we’ve looked to be the team in the ascendancy for the majority of the match but failed ultimately to convert our chances and been punished for it in the cruellest of circumstances.

Watching the game though, the overwhelming feeling was one of gratefulness that we don’t have to watch this sort of football every week.

If things continue in roughly the same way this season, the final places of Leeds and Wolves in the table likely won’t be too far apart, but I’m fairly sure I could tell you which side has had the more fun over the course of 38 games.

Southampton, however, were more than willing to take the game to us and after the first half it looked as though that might work for them. With two goals disallowed and the game very much in the balance it took a fine finish from Patrick Bamford to turn the game in our favour.

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A cultured outside of the foot strike (definitely not a toe poke) from Stuart Dallas made it 2-0 before Raphinha showed his class and ended the game with a superb freekick.

In the build-up to the game Bielsa once again showed his incredible humility with as he discussed his position at Leeds now and in the future.

“I didn’t take Leeds to the Premier League. I manage in the Premier League thanks to Leeds” were words that particularly stuck out as characteristically modest from the boss.

And although he was typically non-committal in terms of giving concrete answers on a contract for next season, we’ve known him long enough now to understand this isn’t at all a bad sign.

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The government announcement of the country’s roadmap out of lockdown this week also revealed that from May 17 there would be permission for elite sports stadiums to host a crowd of up to 10,000 fans or a quarter of full capacity.

That would mean that we could finally see fans back at Elland Road for the final game of the season against West Brom.

While there is still working out to be done in terms of the logistics and how exactly it would be decided who gets to be a part of that crowd on the final day, it is absolutely an encouraging sign that there is a date set for when we’ll see Elland Roads stands occupied – albeit not filled – once again.

Adding your own voice to the Trust’s work is easy.

Visit our new website at www.lufctrust.com and you can become a member for just £10 per year.

Marching on together.

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