27 Apr 2024 07:14:52
Out of interest, what difference does the league we are in genuinely make to your lives?

1.) 27 Apr 2024
27 Apr 2024 07:51:06
Nothing in truth Alf…. I guess it’s human nature to want to be the best, play the best, watch the best etc.

My own personal feelings whilst I was watching last night. I kept asking myself the question why do we want to go up and why do we put ourselves through these emotions, and I kept thinking because I have empathy with this team and I know that if we don’t go up, it’s broken up and it’s no longer this team, but the truth up or down, the team would be different anyway, so it’s all irrational.

It’s not the same, but the situation, for me anyway, was the same in my professional life. I ran a European arm of an international business for the last 20 years. The “quarter” was the be all and end all. Those quarterly results were the only focus and at times we were riding on the brink (of closure) if we didn’t make the quarterly numbers. Our reward for scraping together those numbers, was the privilege of being able to try again for the next quarter, all the same stress, anxiety, risk of failing again. I often pondered how much “better” life would have been, had we missed one of those quarters.

Being pragmatic, the EPL means for most teams and fans, more exposure, more money, more TV games etc…. for Leeds, aside from the money (which is irrelevant to the fans) , our ground is full every week, we’re never off the tele.

Personally, I despise what football is in the EPL, I despise VAR, have no empathy with the “star” players. The only thing the EPL offers me, if we were there, is a higher probability of European football. Before I push the daises, I would like to follow Leeds around Europe one more time.

The EPL probably means an expanded and refurb of Elland Road…. that would also be nice before I pop my clogs!

2.) 27 Apr 2024
27 Apr 2024 08:10:38
Very good post Ani
Following your favourite team is all consuming!
I suppose it’s like a drug!
The highs are what we strive and enjoy but on days like today we are really down!

3.) 27 Apr 2024
27 Apr 2024 08:51:55
I prefer championship and don’t like the premiership so I’m a perverse way I prefer not being in prem… that said I want us to go up!

4.) 27 Apr 2024
27 Apr 2024 10:18:59
Spot on Bermo.

5.) 27 Apr 2024
27 Apr 2024 11:43:53
You know what Alf? Zero, zip, zilch.
I think Ani has caught the mood well.
It will be very sad to lose some of the great players we have, with great attitudes, and characters; that is my biggest concern. But we have lost them before, and will do again. We move on, as a club, team, and fans.
As you say, the EPL is pretty much everything we can despise in the game, apart from the financial bonus and expanded euro comps. Plus VAR! No biggie if we don’t get there this season, but will be an immediate disappointment which will also pass.