Leeds United’s fanbase have been dubbed as very “emotional” again by Daniel Farke as he reacted to defeat away at Nottingham Forest.
One thing you know you’re going to get from Leeds fans is passion. For good or for bad, Elland Road isn’t going to be an easy place to play football for one of the two teams.
Should things be going great, as they did last season, there’s no better place to play football. However, the matchgoing and online fans aren’t shy of voicing discontent, something Daniel Farke has noted throughout his time here.
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Daniel Farke hits back at poor Leeds United form with “emotional” fanbase claim
A 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest last time out, and the manner at which Leeds have trudged to four defeats in their last five has sparked massive alarm bells.
Reaction post-match was rightly of anger and frustration, seeing Leeds look a shadow of the side that started the season, looking disorganised from front to back, and completely toothless in the final third.
Farke, though, wanted to put the record straight, insinuating that the reaction might be over-the-top.
Daniel Farke is under pressure at Leeds United after four defeats in five. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers)
“It’s quite normal. The fanbase of Leeds United is very emotional,” Farke said after full-time. “Every time we lost a game in the Championship last season, people were doubting whether we would go up. Then we won the league with 100 points.
“[This reaction] is what always happens after a loss and everyone has the right to be critical. We have conceded too many goals in our last two away games. We are quite calm. What the outside world wants to think, we can’t influence too much. We know what we have to do better.”
Do Leeds United fans have a right to be emotional as form takes a nosedive?
Farke is right in what he’s said. The Leeds fans are more emotional than most, more up and down than most from week-to-week.
However, what we’re seeing is worrying, and fans have every right to cast their judgements. As Farke alludes to, many Leeds fans were quick to criticise when results didn’t go our way in the Championship, but that only solidifies our opinions now.
It’s not as though Leeds fans have all of a sudden changed their opinions on Farke now we’re losing games in the Premier League. Those shortcomings were highlighted on several occasions since 2023 in the Championship. He was also rightly praised for his fine work in getting us out of the EFL.
The cracks are easily papered over in the Championship with the best squad in the league two years running, but those cracks become disturbingly apparent against elite players and coaches every week.
Fans have unfortunately seen where the performances are going, heading into this bleak run of games. Farke’s job isn’t to undermine fans for being ‘too emotional’, it’s to harness that and create some unified momentum.
What did Marcelo Bielsa have to say about Leeds United’s passionate fanbase?
Every manager at Elland Road learns quite quickly what the fans are about. For Marcelo Bielsa, he saw as a privilege to give us something to shout about. Of course, being incredibly successful and transformative for the club helped that passion be pointed in the right direction.
Marcelo Bielsa celebrated the Championship title without being able to join the Leeds United fans. (Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith)
Having won the league title in 19/20 while fans were locked out of grounds, he formed part of the closing narration of Amazon’s ‘Take us Home’ documentary. He reflected on the celebrations taking place outside the ground with a poignant summary of what it means for fans to experience watching their club every week.
“This is going to be a lovely memory for all my life, and it was beautiful. Everything that happened was so beautiful. Unforgettable.
“What I observe most is the dream of Leeds supporters. The only thing for them is their love for their club. The only thing they receive in exchange is emotion. For this reason, the supporters are the best thing in football.
“To be able to take on such a job in a club with such a rich history is an honour.”
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