Leeds United were in desperate need of an upturn in fortune after Monday’s meek 4-0 surrender to Brighton, with fans looking for a performance from the Whites. These fans also had to contend with a fan-organised protest, that the Yorkshire Post said “overshadowed” the game itself.
With Mirco Antenucci’s two goal salvo against hapless Bolton, Leeds United at least began to ease away from the dirge of Monday night and that four-goal pasting in an abject 20 minute spell in an equally abject first half display.
United had more of a zip about them and the way they went at Bolton at least gave the watching 20,000+ fans some hope for the run in from where they now find themselves in 16th place in the table.
With this upturn in fortune, and Leeds at least looking something like a ‘force’ rather than a ‘farce’, the Whites can hopefully kick-on to Cardiff on Tuesday night as they look to build on the back of a deserved three points. The game will also represent an opportunity to distance themselves from the extra-curricular, off-field matters that came to prominence before the game itself.
A ramping up of the protest against Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino, involving a funeral procession for a ‘dead club’ and a ‘Time To Go Massimo’ banner trailed behind a light aircraft, proved to be the backdrop that the game was played out against. However, Steve Evans said that the fan protests are not affecting the players who maintain a healthy focus on football matters.
When questioned about the protest and the distraction that it might be proving, Evans dismissed these claims saying the players were unaffected. The Whites’ head coach said, “No, none of it. We have to keep our focus on the grass. At the team meeting at the hotel I said to the players whatever happens we can’t affect it. It’s not our business. Our business is to turn up as professional footballers, professional coaching staff and medical staff and support the team on the pitch and get three points.”
Evans reiterated that the players are only there for one reason and one reason only – the fans. On this subject, he said, “We know if we get the three points we send the Leeds United family home ready to enjoy their Saturday night. For me there’s been too many Saturday’s when they’ve gone home a little bit p***** off with us.”
Thank you to Heidi Haigh and her ‘Follow Me and Leeds United‘ Facebook page for the continued use of her match-taken photographs.
