Leeds Banter

05 May 2024 14:37:48
Hey Guys, I need some help with something I'm trying to do.

My 22 yr. old daughter is graduating from the University of Sussex in Brighton with her masters degree in July 2025. She is a HUGE leeds fan like me and we watch every game together while talking on the phone. Instead of getting a gift for her achievements my wife and I want to surprise her by taking her on a tour of Elland Road.

1. What is the best way to get to Leeds From Brighton? Train? fly?

2. Who do I contact at Leeds to book a tour of Elland Road?

3.My BIGGEST surprise to her that I'm trying to pull off is for her to meet Archie Gray at the stadium.
She is a BIG fan of Archie and would probably Cherish this visit for the rest of her life as will myself.

Would appreciate if anyone could help guide me in the right direction. MOT.

05 May 2024 15:30:57
John Wayne is best way getting up from Hove, Contact stadium/ website directly for tour info

And I would suggest contacting Archie through social media to ask on your request for a meet, maybe easier to achieve that if you went out to Thorp Arch if you had the the spare time, Match day may be awkward to meet up


If your in UK for a few days, may I suggest you visit the National Football Museum in Manchester, it's fantastic, every football fan will love it, not a 3 minute walk from Manchester Victoria station

Well worth the effort.

05 May 2024 12:16:06
All the optimists out there call the opposition defeatists but somewhere in the middle stand the realists who currently must lean towards the defeatist camp for, no matter how much you excuse the last game, tell yourself it was a blip and then drag out the "we can turn it around" Your eyes don't deceive you and the final score is the only thing that counts.
Everyone knows the symptoms. Everyone knows when it started but not one of us knows the cure that works. We all have our own prognosis. Even the ones with radical surgery as an option dare not perform it in case it goes wrong at this critical stage.
So let's just wrap it in bandages (for now) and pray for the best.
If the patient pulls through then the future is always brighter with the supporters constant companion - Hope.

05 May 2024 13:26:42
Let’s hope the patient pulls through cause he has a whole lot of beatings coming up.

05 May 2024 09:21:47
Went to pick my two sons up from the train station and as one was running late went for a cheeky pint in town. Not great joining the Tractor Boys party. One guy said "cheer up we are promoted" I rolled my shirt sleeve up to show him my Leeds tattoo, he then understood!

05 May 2024 13:29:28
Poor you Phil.
The only saviour being its their century moment.
They are about to get mauled and ridiculed.
Us. Never.
As much as we may well be beaten. Teams will always be wary of playing us. To the end of time.

05 May 2024 15:58:37
Thanks Aus, I only hold a glimmer of hope for the play offs.

05 May 2024 07:47:15
Will Ferrell is a new stakeholder in the club.

05 May 2024 08:49:05
That’s good news right?
Heard his a mate of Jesse. Maybe give him another go with all his yankers us of a footballers.

05 May 2024 09:11:54
Shake n Bake! Good to have him as one of our Brothers.

05 May 2024 09:28:30
Burgundy away kit next season?

05 May 2024 10:00:01
Yes bright I read that. He showed up a couple of times in the Wrexham doc. Seemed to like being involved and going to the pub.

05 May 2024 10:26:14
Welcome Frank the Tank.

05 May 2024 07:39:38
{Ed's Note - BlueNose1878! has posted a new article entitled, Sean Dyche is doing his job at Everton

04 May 2024 21:29:24
Let me start by saying, I am more than grateful that we now have a second chance - however - I am strongly against a league system that is the envy of the world and awards consistency being decided by an "on the day" knockout game. It's just not right.
What if the 6th team, many points behind the third, turn up at Wembley and win by a lucky deflection after defending for 90mins. It's just not right.

04 May 2024 22:00:49
I concur Leo, but it's been the way it is, and has been for years, so I guess we can't moan because it don't suit our situation. MOT.

04 May 2024 22:28:29
It does though keep interest in Champo till game 46.

04 May 2024 22:31:17
OP predicting a Baggies Leeds final

That now means Norwich vs Saints final a sure thing.

04 May 2024 22:34:28
I have never liked the system it's all about money, 3 down 2 up and a play off and it gets worse as you go down the leagues. My opinion bottom 4 and top 4 in all leagues.

04 May 2024 22:35:44
Leo, If it's just not right than get automatic promotion. Just saying. We finished 17 points ahead of Norwich which showed we were the better team this season. No reason why we shouldn't beat them in playoffs. IMO. BUT, football is not played on paper.

04 May 2024 23:15:13
Did you think the same in 1987?

05 May 2024 07:40:26
I think the best compromise would be 3 up and 3 down, and then 4-7 play-off to meet 4th bottom in EPL. EPL would never vote for it.

Alternatively, 3rd in EFL is placed in the playoff final and 4-7 playoff to meet them. There has to be some “benefit” to being 3rd over 6th.

05 May 2024 07:48:39
Spot on Ani, and I agree totally Leodis.

05 May 2024 08:45:47
How many years have you had to practice being a d. head, Porgie. Congrats, you nailed it. Straight 3 up 3 down for me and no parachute payments.

05 May 2024 09:24:09
It's a, bad system if you finish 3rd, great if you finish 6th, as we did in 87 when we knocked Oldham out although we finished well behind them.

05 May 2024 09:39:00
Similar to Bundesliga/ Bundesliga II system is that Ani. Works well.

05 May 2024 10:27:32
Ani the advantage of 3rd is playing at home first against the 6th team. It doesn't always work like that but that's the advantage.
The playoffs are not perfect but they keep even mid table teams playing till the end of the season. Look at Doncaster they were sitting about 20th then went on a massive run and finished 5th. Would they have put that run together without the playoffs to aim for?

05 May 2024 12:01:03
Well lads that was a lot to ponder.
Dougie sorry no, since the dawn of time it has been straight up and down. This play off business is only (in football terms) new.
Bermu my whole point is that every team gets 9ish months to show there worth and the cream will inevitably rise to the top. They must be rewarded, not potentially snatched from their grasp by a stroke of bad timed, bad luck.
Ben W playing at home is not always an advantage.
No lads there is only one overiding reason for the Play Offs - MONEY!

05 May 2024 12:43:20
Leo yes it is about money its an entertainment industry and the TV rights need to sold.
The TV people are going to pay more if they can show more teams and games during the season.
They will be paying less if half the league is on the beach from march.
We all remember the almost friendlies we would watch at the end of the season because neither team had anywhere to go.
Plus it's a chance for the lesser teams and players to get to Wembley.

04 May 2024 20:51:38
Never one to give up no matter how difficult or impossible it may seem, especially after today which In all honesty was not a great surprise, I’m still looking at a Wembley final against not Southampton but WBA, that’s of course if we beat Norwich which I believe we can.
Never, Never, Never give up.
The defeatists you can slag me off and abuse me but sorry chaps, I don’t follow your path.
Onwards &Upwards.

04 May 2024 22:34:42
Realists.

05 May 2024 07:37:25
From The Caustic Soda Evasion Team.

05 May 2024 07:44:20
What’s real about it Baz? Nothing has happened yet, so it’s impossible to be real.

Definition of, is actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact; not imagined or supposed.

05 May 2024 07:49:29
🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱.

05 May 2024 08:00:37
I think it’s more basic, rather than some nefarious conspiracy. Rutter’s form has been the main issue, for whatever reason; probably arising from injury or not properly recovering from his operation.

Aside from losing the ball at an even more alarming rate (he always did) , he just hasn’t had the same impact for the last couple of months. The worse he plays, the harder he tries, the worse he gets…We’re not winning the ball back / retaining it in those dangerous areas like we (he) was. When we do win the ball back, it’s typically in our 3rd and the pressure is off the opposition.

We’re seeing the Rutter that was being derided with some justification from last season. Not sure what the answer is, because we don’t have a real alternative. Hopefully he can get a break and get his confidence back in time.

The current Rutter would be laughable in the EPL.

05 May 2024 09:57:47
I am afraid you are right ani. Rutters form is key as we are struggling to create anything. Our midfield does not contain anyone who can drive forward and and break the lines so to speak. He would when playing well spin out of challenges and draw defences in. At the mo it's just not sticking.
Another thing is we don't have anyone to put in a raking pass. As Southampton did for their second. We don't seem to have that pass over the top to get teams turned.

05 May 2024 12:29:23
Cooper plays those passes every game with varying success, but still better than none. Amps was making them, but mot for a while now.

05 May 2024 15:06:09
That's why ani I would prefer amps in midfield. He has shown he can play a pass over the top but he has more drive forward than gruev or kamara.
I think we all hope that gray will develop into a barnstorming forward thinking midfielder a bit like rice is doing for arsenal. At the mo archies inexperience means he doesn't get on the ball enough or doesn't demand it enough.
He is talented but needs so much more game time before he makes a real difference the team.

04 May 2024 19:33:07
Well siblings, I was fortunate enough to be at work today to miss that atrocity, but, we have a second chance. Now if you lie down in front of a steamroller you will be the squishee, but if you get up, chuck the driver out and take control you will be the squisher. All it takes is one spark to light a fire. We have to believe our boys regroup and grasp the nettle, we kn9w how good we can be, its all about attitude. Don't be tarmac people, don't abandon hope because without it we are lost and it is pointless. We are Leeds are we not? Take the hard road, don't knee jerk. It's my birthday next Sunday and I fully expect Leeds to deliver 😁.

04 May 2024 22:35:38
Vid what happened to that team spirit you were remarking upon?

04 May 2024 23:42:54
Baz, if you read what I posted, it's about team spirit. Think, in your life, what means most? It's those experiences, occaisions events that you have shared with others, those that mean most. Unity is all. That's what being Leeds is all about.

05 May 2024 01:56:29
Yes Vid team spirit undoubtedly prevalent throughout the 60s and 70s ( except arguably a Scottish intl CD in 77/ 78 season ) through much of the 90s, Bielsa first 3 seasons etc etc

But that team spirit has been completely missing back end of last season and back end of this season

. when it is needed most.

04 May 2024 18:37:50
Firpo walked round the pitch on his own after the final whistle. I'm not surprised after that 2nd Southampton goal. Shocking complacency.

04 May 2024 18:54:54
We all know what happens next.
Adios Firpo.

04 May 2024 22:36:37
Taxi for Mes and Firpo.

04 May 2024 23:29:38
Are you driving them Baz 🤣🤣
Take Darlo, Rutter, Summerville and Byram too, but pick up Johannson on your way back.

05 May 2024 01:57:25
I have got a 7 seater Leeroy pal

Room for one more . WG.

04 May 2024 17:10:03
Being optimistic is one thing, and yes, we still have a chance of gaining promotion however, a dose of harsh reality is needed;

Firstly, our good form of a couple of months ago has totally deserted us. Can't see us winning at Wembley playing the way we are.

And secondly, if we were to go up, could this squad survive? How much strengthening would we have to do, and could we afford it?

Heart wants us to gain promotion (heart wants us to win every game:) but head says we would be better off staying where we are for another season - I know that will cost financially and that several players will go but I would ask everyone to consider (again) where we were 12 months ago. at least this time our owners aren't going anywhere and we have a manager in place. In other words, we can make plans and implement them very shortly rather than waiting until mid-August before anything happens.

It may end up being a bitter pill to swallow but it might be worth it in the long run!

04 May 2024 17:18:34
Fair post Cleggy.

04 May 2024 17:29:57
Deluded if you think staying in the Championship another season is helpful.

04 May 2024 17:44:54
Good post Cleggy, and definitely not deluded!

04 May 2024 17:47:29
it's the old question Cleggy. Would you rather miss promotion, stay in the champs and watch a winning team most weeks, battling for promotion OR go up and watch a losing team going nowhere except down?
In essence a yoyo team at best.

04 May 2024 17:51:03
Personally I would not mind missing out (I would be ecstatic to go up) and now that DF has had chance to evaluate the team, buy well with a longterm view of going up and staying up. This time buying wisely and not being sidetracked with all the s**t going on last summer.

04 May 2024 18:03:23
I feel more deflated today, compared to last seasons relegation.
From the high of beating Leicester and the stadium rocking, to the lows of Sunderland through to today and a very toxic, nervy atmosphere
We're the team everyone wants to beat, well its time the players dig deep and find their form, we have 3 cup finals to win.

04 May 2024 18:56:20
Fair post Leodis…I’m not fussed either way to be honest. On balance, I prefer winning (more) games more than watching us struggle. We’re struggling now and it’s sad to see. To be honest, I’m looking forward to the playoffs because, regardless, they are a spectacle to be part of, rather than in any expectation of success.

It would be nice to win at Wembley I suppose.

I’m satisfied with the season; by and large it has been enjoyable v what the last two have been like.

What I don’t like, is the impending “reset and start again” that will follow if we don’t make it.

04 May 2024 19:27:13
It’s strange emotions for me. Like last season’s relegation, today there was no real expectation of a positive outcome, since on both occasions it had largely been settled in the penultimate game. I was more disappointed in the game and result, rather than what it meant. The crowd never really got going…nor did the team.

I was far more devastated with Bielsa’s first season failure.

04 May 2024 18:11:32
Staying down means the following losses:

1. No EPL revenue. Huge.
2. Brakes on stadium 🏟️ expansion. Huge. New SCC rules makes stadium 🏟️ expansion critical for improvement. Meanwhile player valuations increase along with construction 🚧 costs.
3. Loss of better players such as Summerville, Gnonto and Rutter.
4. Above personnel loss means a 70 g/ a season void needs filling. Challenging to say the least.
5. Younger assets (Gray the even younger) more vulnerable to being pinched.

Yep, it's another worldbeater.

04 May 2024 22:40:26
6.Leeds can go up Georgey but not with some of these overrated pretenders.

05 May 2024 00:34:25
You right Baz but there's something rotten in the club again. The lack of desire and quality on show upsetting.

05 May 2024 02:00:18
Indeed George. something definitely rotten with 4 or 5 certain players .2nd season running too.

05 May 2024 09:42:50
I agree George. Nailed that list there, fella.