Leeds United 2019-20 Fan Preview

We have reached out to fans from all 24 championship teams and asked them to preview their club for the 2019-20 Championship campaign.

How long have you been following Leeds United?

My first game was in 2001, a 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the FA Cup.

What are your thoughts on last season?

Bittersweet. I remember where I was when I saw the first tweet linking us with Bielsa, immediately I assumed it was a kid who has too much spare time on his hand and ignored it. Then unbelievably he was here, the man that Guardiola, Pochettino, Simeone, etc. all admire was managing my club.

Our pre-season was nothing special, solid performances but nothing could prepare us for the shock we had on an opening day. Pre-season favorites, Stoke City, come to Elland Road and we boss them from minute 1 to 90, It was an unbelievable performance as we win 3-1.

As someone who can only briefly remember O’Leary’s Champions League team, last season was the best football I’ve ever seen a team representing Leeds United play. The movement, passing, the energy was everything you would imagine your team play.

Even though it had a gutting ending, last season was one of my favorite following Leeds, and it’s all down to Bielsa.

What are your expectations going into this season?

I go into every season wanting to at least finish in play-offs. In my opinion, if you haven’t got a realistic hope for the play-offs in March then you are a poor side, the Championship is brilliant but the standard isn’t that high across the division.

At the time of writing the only player, we have lost is Jack Clarke, but then we have loaned him back.

The signing of Helder Costa coming in from Wolves are very exciting. Other members of our squad need to take the creative burden off the veteran magician, Pablo Hernandez. If Phillips stays I think we can get automatic promotion. I believe in Bielsa to get us over the line this time.

Which Home Fixture excites you the most and why?

Sheffield Wednesday. Our biggest rivals in this division, now that Sheffield United have departed. They bring a decent crowd compared to most other teams (partly due to our horrendous ticket pricing), Sky usually moves it to a night game and there is nothing better than a game under the lights.

Which Away Trip excites you the most this season and why? 

Fulham. This is purely personal, but I’ve always wanted to go to Craven Cottage but the powers that be at the EFL always made it a fixture for Tuesday night meaning I couldn’t go, however this season we play them on a Saturday, so I cannot wait for that game.

Who is your star player?

Kalvin Phillips. When he came through the academy, we could see his quality but there wasn’t a role for him.

We tried playing him as a 10, and as a box to box midfielder, but it’s taken Bielsa to mold him into the best defensive midfielder in the league. He is vital to how we play, he controls the midfield, takes the ball off the defenders – he is just brilliant.

Which new signing excites you the most?

Helder Costa – It will only be a loan but if we get promoted it will be permanent.

He was fantastic for Wolves when they got promoted a couple of seasons ago, and that kind of direct creativity was just what we need.

Last season most of our play went through Hernandez, so we need some players who can take the burden off him, he can also chip in with some goals.

Which player’s departure will impact you the most?

Phillips. As I mentioned before he is so vital to the way we play, there are rumors that Aston Villa wants him, he cannot be allowed to leave. If he left, I honestly can’t name a player to replace him. When Forshaw plays there instead of Phillips we aren’t the same side.

Do you have any tips for fans who are going to visit your stadium for the first time?

The mural of our title-winning midfield on the side of the tunnel by the ground is terrific.

This Article is contributed to us by Mr. Cobi. You can find him on Reddit at Cobi

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Fun Fact about Leeds:  The name of the name is Old Pike Ground, the former name of the Allende Road stadium, named after the former Old Picnic Pub.