Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United side deserve a full Elland Road cheering them on - Dominic Matteo

Former Leeds United player and fan favourite Dominic Matteo pens his latest thoughts on what's going on at Elland Road.
Leeds United winger Raphinha scores against Southampton at Elland Road. Pic: Bruce RollinsonLeeds United winger Raphinha scores against Southampton at Elland Road. Pic: Bruce Rollinson
Leeds United winger Raphinha scores against Southampton at Elland Road. Pic: Bruce Rollinson

To have played the biggest games of your career in an empty stadium is genuinely unthinkable.

I’ve spoken to a few former footballers about this and none of them could imagine playing football with no fans. It doesn’t sit right with me. When I went anywhere with Leeds, the away fans were the ones who made the most noise, the life and soul of the party.

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At Elland Road it’s quite different, they’re unique because they’re loud wherever they go. Personally, I would have struggled. I loved playing in the big games, against the bigger clubs, that was my thing. Playing in the big stadiums was what excited me most.

Leeds’ games against Manchester United, I loved that atmosphere. Those were the games you always wanted to do well in.

It’s all just a bit soulless at the minute. Some of my mates have been allowed in to do punditry work but they’re all saying the same thing, they all want fans back and an atmosphere in grounds.

When you think of the season Leeds have had, being so good to watch, it’s beyond disappointing that they’ve had to do it with no fans.

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Personally, I’m devastated because I genuinely felt quite responsible that Leeds weren’t in the Premier League because of what happened when we got relegated so I would have loved to have gone into Elland Road to see them back in the top flight, with a full crowd.

I can’t wait to get back to Elland Road with my wife and kids, as proud as anyone else to see Leeds in the Premier League. I feel for the lads. They’ve played so well, they’ve been the team to watch but without the fans it’s so tough.

People say certain players, perhaps Patrick Bamford for example, have thrived on not having that pressure of fans in stadiums but I don’t believe that at all. I think they would have thrived on the pressure, getting the opportunity to play against Premier League opposition at a full Elland Road.

Bamford has played exceptionally, he’s scored goals consistently and deserves the reception he would have got in grounds from Leeds fans.

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Imagine how they would have reacted at Wolves though, in the away end, if he scored that fantastic goal – only for it to be ruled out. I must have watched it 20 times and I still cannot believe it wasn’t given.

Attacking players should be getting the benefit of the doubt, it was a brilliant goal and it’s such a shame it wasn’t given.

I’m not a fan of VAR and I’m not an angry person but sometimes when I watch football and you’re waiting for VAR to intervene, I just find myself getting angrier and angrier.

That, and the lack of fans, makes it a tough watch sometimes. If things do go to plan and we do get some fans in for the final game of the season it will be a small consolation.

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We don’t yet know what’s going to happen with this squad in the summer but it’s possible we could see one or two move on, and how sad would it be if someone like Pablo Hernandez, for example, didn’t get the send-off he deserves before his time at Leeds comes to an end?

You never want to lose legendary players but it could happen, let’s be honest.

When you get towards the end of your career you want to play more than ever but it’s tough because you’re at that point where other players might be fitter and stronger, injuries might start to creep in.

I just hope players like Pablo, who could maybe move on in the summer, get the send-off they deserve.

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It needs to be an occasion, especially for Pablo who has been an incredible player and a great servant for the club. He’s Leeds’ own David Silva, a little magician, the style of player we all love to watch, someone people would go to Elland Road to watch and sing about.

I never got a chance to say goodbye, due to the injuries I had, it just happened. When you’re coming towards the end of your career it’s important that you get to thank the people who have given you the opportunity and the support, the fans, your team-mates, the kit men and ladies.

There are also players at Leeds who are excelling, in a team that is doing well, and we have to be careful we don’t lose them.

There are players with genuine quality, at a good age, that we have to make sure we tie down because they have good years ahead of them. It’s the same for this weekend’s visitors Aston Villa, with Jack Grealish. I like watching him; he’s a bit of a throwback with his socks rolled down, and Villa know they need to keep performing and getting results if they want to hold on to their star man.

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When you’re up against the better players like Grealish, you’ve got to get up to the ball, get tight and you can’t give him time and space. Clever players like that kill you with space.

On one hand it’s a shame he’s not playing against Leeds because he’s an exciting talent but, on the other hand, he can’t hurt Leeds this weekend.

Villa are a threat though; they have a bit of pace in the team and it’s a tough game but our performances have been pretty good and you just find yourself looking forward to every game.

There’s so much football on TV at the minute but Leeds are the ones to watch out for.

Dominic Matteo's column, in association with Data Facilities