“I’d rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.”
Those words were uttered by none other than Kurt Cobain, but aside from the words of a man who defined the ‘Grunge subculture’, they also define Leeds United fans.
We are often seen as the ‘unwanted’, and turn up in the 1000s at away grounds letting opposing fans know just that. Self-depreciatingly we sing “We all hate Leeds scum,” in a way confirming what we are proud of. We are Leeds United and we don’t care.
We are the ones, in Cobain’s seminal words who prefer to be ‘hated’ for the Vile Animals that we are than ‘loved’ for the plastic fans that we most definitely are not. In a way, it’s that sense of togetherness that makes us what we are – a brotherhood of sorts. Vile and proud.
It’s that mystical, intangible thing that we share in common that bonds us to each other. From individuals we become one – we become family – we become a team. That’s how we like it, it’s also how we want it. It’s also what we want from the team that represent us – we want them to come together as one.
There are signs of that happening, signs of a gelling mentality. As fans we often demand too much of those we invest our emotions in. We often say with stupidity that the football is contagious, demanding here we are now, entertain us! There wasn’t much entertaining last season, well really the few seasons before this one to be honest. But there’s a definite sense of expectation building at Leeds United at the moment.
That expectation is the result of hard work from the players and coaching staff, there’s a definite ethos running through the side at this moment in time, it is also what is to blame for invigorating the fans. It’s not a case of take your time, hurry up neither but more a case of the choice is yours, don’t be late. Leeds United on the pitch over the last 11 games, and I am including the 2-0 loss today against Newcastle, have shown a case of making their own choices and avoiding leaving performances too late in the season to have an effect.
We were soundly beaten yesterday at home by a very good Newcastle United side and effectively made to rue lapses of concentration that led to both goals. Newcastle will continue to turn sides over like that, some will be beaten in an even worse manner than we were – humiliated even.
Yes, we lost due to a mistake and a lapse in marking that led to a quality, nay Premier League quality, goal. Whilst blame can be apportioned to those we feel deserve it, it should be a case of stay the hand a while. With hindsight, we can all say that Rob Green should have tipped it over or punched it clear. But hindsight is a wonderful thing to have when staring down the barrel.
That’s not how it should be. Criticise, yes but blame, no. Blame should be held off from as it isn’t productive. Look at how the Leeds players rallied around Rob Green after his faux pas, that’s an example of the team spirit that is running through the Whites at the moment. It shouldn’t be a case of us pointing fingers and thinking I’ll get in first and take advantage in case you hang me out to dry. Team spirit, ethos, bonhomie, call it what you want but that’s what exists between Leeds United fans and is beginning to exist in the side as well.
There’s an argument that weather changes moods, well it won’t be long before spring is here again and, for once, it looks as though, hopefully, the Whites will be at the right end of the table and looking downwards at others for a change. I know what some of you may be thinking, ‘somewhere I have heard this before. In a dream my memory has stored.’ All I can do is speak from my own experience, I have not felt this positive about what I see in front of me representing Leeds United for a long time.
So, put the disappointment of today on the back-burner for even though the brakes have been eased on to our promotion push, the wheels haven’t fallen off. Instead we need to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves down ready for the trip to South Yorkshire and the game against Rotherham. We were decent in large patches against Newcastle, we were defeated but never cowed into submission and never folded like old origami.
Against a floundering Rotherham who will be more windy than Millers next week, there is the definite chance to display that team spirit that we’ve been building the last dozen-or-so games. What a game to follow an honourable defeat against the league leaders, a game against a struggling side. This is a ‘statement game’, one where the Whites should endeavour to go out and right any wrongs carried over from the Newcastle defeat. What will be essential is that sense of togetherness, that collective ethos of a team working side-by-side with each other.
Leeds United definitely have the smell of team spirit and, as for this gift, I feel blessed. Our little group has always been and always will until the end. We are one Leeds; we are one Leeds that is United.
