Marching on Together – Back to the Championship
Leeds slow but at times inevitable fall back into the Championship was probably on the cards for many weeks if not months. I have been resigned to it for at least two months.
The loyal supporters would have been continually looking at the mathematical chance of staying up and also hoping for miracles, while ridiculing players missed opportunities that could have changed things.
But that is the thing about football and the Premier League, the margin for error is very small and a few things going the other way, and things could have been so different. Or that is what some supporters will be saying.
‘The Table doesn’t lie,’ is an old adage and too be honest is probably not far from the truth. The Leeds squad of players was clearly not good enough, and what at the beginning of the season seemed like a promising start, soon faded into, what if’s and but’s.
Three manages in one season is not a recipe for success and the supporters are now looking seriously at a majority a shareholder that has lost interest and desire for the club they worship.
The hope that American Dollars in the form of 49er’s ownership would be a salvation didn’t materialise, and if they are to resurrect the club from it’s current predicament, they need to act fast as planning for next season should already be in place.
Somehow though I doubt this will occur, and while a sixteen-year hiatus is unlikely, if things aren’t ‘sorted’ and sorted quick, a swift return to the PL may not be on the cards that many hope or desire.
The supporters perhaps deserve better, but all clubs supporters say that when things go wrong, but Leeds supporters are extremely partisan and loyal, and while they will tolerate much, they do deserve to see players that show the same desire and fight that they have. Sadly this season it often didn’t occur, and that I guess is the tragedy.
A call for MB to return will not happen, or that it would have been so different if he had stayed, is purely wishful thinking. However having the right manager for a new campaign in the Championship will be key, who is that likely to be, I don’t know. But whoever is appointed will be backed unanimously while the Whites are winning, but will soon be ridiculed if results go the wrong way.
The manager, whoever is appointed, is likely to last at best, one and a half years, more likely less than 6 months, depending upon results in what is a most competitive and difficult division to escape from.
Investment in the right players for a Championship campaign will be key, while removing the deadwood will be essential but a difficult task.
So lots of things to resolve and all of which need doing as a matter of urgency, but somehow I doubt it will.
A new season will start in ten weeks’ time and the supporters will no doubt arrive at Elland Road with high expectations and dreams of a swift return to the PL, but perhaps they may just have to kerb their enthusiasm, as what is more likely is another run away from the best football league division in the world. A place the supporters possibly deserve and always enhance, but may not occur as quick as they hope.
