All The West Stand episodes
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The LUTV commentator tells us what it was like inside the Emirates to watch Leeds United's battling defeat and brings an update on the West Stand redevelopment.
Bryn Law Leeds United on Arsenal and the West Stand
Bryn Law, the LUTV commentator, joins Dan Moylan and Michael Normanton on The West Stand to talk through Leeds United's defeat at Arsenal and to bring an update on the West Stand redevelopment, with a long detour into the tram that Leeds still hasn't got.
Bryn was in the Emirates and says the Leeds United fans were noisy for much of the game, unlike the home crowd, who "enjoy sitting in almost total silence". He admits he felt giddy around the hour mark and thought, "today might be the day", before Arsenal's substitutions and reality set in. They talk about Daniel Farke's post-match mood, proud of his players but heartbroken, and how furious he was after being booked for leaving the technical area. Dan and Michael are unhappy with Paul Tierney's refereeing: Dominic Calvert-Lewin shoved around and fouled while Leeds collected four bookings to Arsenal's one. They also cover James Trafford's mistake for the first goal, with Bryn pointing out he has only just turned 24, and the way Illan Meslier was back at the Emirates. James Justin's finish is praised, along with the way he gave the credit to the cross and the players taking defenders away. Seventh after six games leaves the hosts optimistic ahead of Manchester United at home, though Bryn says he is uncomfortable with that much optimism and Dan says there is nobody in the league Leeds should fear, and Bryn cannot disagree.
The conversation then turns to the Manchester City verdict and the Liverpool game that followed it. Bryn, who spent twenty years at Sky Sports and helped build the hype, worries about what the Premier League is selling if nobody believes the outcome, and wonders what punishment could possibly work. Michael would kick Manchester City out of the league entirely, and Dan asks for a points deduction that leaves them nothing to play for. Dynamic ticket pricing gets a brief mention from Dan, who is unconvinced by Paraag Marathe's line that seats will get cheaper, and says it will be picked up later in the week.
The last part is about the West Stand. Bryn says the piling is complete, capping is under way, and the covered walkway for the corporate fans is being built. The groundwork for the North End has already been done too. Fans seem to be getting in and out of the ground without much trouble, and the new parking zones have worked for him so far. Then he makes the case for a tram: a deprived South Leeds, a government that wants to show it can get things done, and a city that has been waiting since 1992, when he arrived. Dan's answer is to "just build it", and Michael asks for a funicular up Beeston Hill while they're at it.
The West Stand
The West Stand