“Boretress Elland Road” – That is what a caller said on the decline of Leeds atmosphere despite putting in dominant performances.
Leeds were 2-0 winners against QPR at Elland Road, however, many left the game apparently feeling underwhelmed.
So Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Simon Rix asked if winning is enough, or if winning in style is necessary. Questioning why are some of the fanbase bored?
😴 “Boretress Elland Road.”
Delving into the decline of Leeds United’s atmosphere despite such dominant performances. 🔇
Ep 127 of ‘Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet’ is now available on @BBCSounds and wherever you get your podcasts: https://t.co/ZH1tmR4y8E#LUFC | #DGTB | #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/sdQ3GMQC3r
— BBC Sport West Yorkshire (@BBCWYS) November 11, 2024
Jonny Buchan: “We had a caller after the game at the weekend who said he wanted to thank Daniel Farke for making it “Boretress Elland Road”, he called it, instead of Fortress Elland Road.
“And a lot of the fallout from the weekend that I’ve seen online on socials and speaking to a couple of people as well has been that it’s just boring to watch.
“If the destination’s as rubbish as the Premier League is when you get promoted to it, how can you enjoy the journey?”
Simon Rix: “Ah, how to start? We are expecting to win. And then when we win, everyone’s not like, hey, high fives. Everyone’s like, great. Are we top yet? Do you know what I mean? It’s that’s the sort of way the season is framed.
“So I think there’s something to said of, like, I got in the car after Saturday, with a couple of people, and then Sarah got in. She’s like, did you win? And we’re just like, ‘yep’. She’s like, is that it? ‘Yep’.”
Jonny Buchan: “What what you’re essentially saying is, Simon, that that Bielsa’s ruined football for Leeds United fans forever.”
Simon Rix: “I think the actual the moment. You know what I mean? It’s a moment in it. I mean, COVID obviously is the problem, but the moment is we went from being just an another average team to being exciting and everybody eve being at even outside in. Leeds United being like, what’s happening there? ”
“Whereas with Farke, it’s like, I don’t know. It’s just doing a job. It’s like working in a factory or something, innit? It’s like, have you have you is the machine oiled? Yes.”
Jonny Buchan: Did you clock on at 9? Did you clock off at 5? Yeah.
Adam Pope: “And I think that’s not only the frame I think you’re really correct to say. You’re framing it in the last season…”
Jonny and Pope: “Yes”
Simon Rix: “I think as well, the last season, there was jeopardy because we came down and it was carnage.
“And so, actually, when we got on a bit of a go in and stuff, we were happy, weren’t we? Because it’s like, alright. Cool. They’ve turned it around.
“He’s done a great job. He had that terrible August where there’s no one to pick, and people are on strike, and he’s managed it really well. And he got a lot of credit for that, I think, for, like, being honest and being, like, you know, controlling the situation, basically. And controlling the narrative and possibly like, it was good.
“Whereas this season, it’s like we’ve got the most expensive squad in the Champ, and it’s, you know, like, all this stuff that keeps coming out, it’s like we’ve got the most expensive squad, we’re paying the most wages.
Adam Pope: There’s almost like nobody’s enjoyed anything. And I was going, hang on. We’re all talking about Tanaka being far more attractive to watch and Rothwell. Bogle’s been great. Piroe’s got a fantastic finish. I’m thinking I am scratching my head, but you can feel that the atmosphere isn’t in the ground that suggests that everybody’s being royally entertained.”
Here’s how fans reacted to the “Boretress Elland Road” debate as a caller speaks on the decline of Leeds atmosphere despite dominant performances…
@MEvatt: The biggest issue particularly at Elland Road is teams sticking 11 men behind and looking to time waste and break the game up. QPR at no point made any serious effort to try and score a goal. They looked content with a 2-0 loss. Doesn’t make for exciting end to end football.
@sco060: The problem is our away performances when teams set up with a bus. Pass, pass, pass. Backwards. We haven’t got any other plan. You get wingers running up the line and crossing in balls, the Piroe will be finishing them!!! Why sign him to play a completely different way?
@GolfScotland18: 4-2-3-1 with the emphasis on possession management has a lot to answer for. I do wonder what happens if those 4 woodwork hits in the first 15 mins against Pompey go in though and Leeds are 5-0 up after 25 mins. Would that have become our template, instead of the 3-3 fright he got
@BenBrierley2001: The football is boring but i want three points and go up. If it means we play boring then we will have to accept it. Against certain teams this season we have been good to watch but recently boring imo
@sco060: What for? To then get pumped in the PL?? Short sighted or what?
@BenBrierley2001: So you would rather stay in the championship instead of trying to get into the Premier League? Yes we would lose more games but I want to see my team be in the “best league”
@SimonAshley86: My take on is that this is modern football. Anytime I’m at the “bigger” grounds & teams it’s quiet ish until there is a goal or a main chant. Man City play this controlled possession football and it’s made their crowd dull. We similarly control games like that. That’s why away games are so popular, effectively more about drinking & the experience as opposed to the footy.
@MelFirth: Misery loves company. Maybe someone could write a song about that we can all sing after another “boring win”. Regardless of opinions on Farke & his football, he’s delivering the results.
@147_hramsey: Going gun ho at teams is not the answer, with DF we dismantle teams methodically as most teams come to Elland Rd set up not to loose but our fortune relies on getting the first goal now that we have no Rutter or Somerville to break the lines easily. I think DF is spot on.
@L33D5WF2: The footballs devoid of excitement and risk unfortunately, who’s going to get excited by sideways and backward passing?
@LeedsUnited_MAD: If I get ‘bored’ to promotion? Poor me!
@FlyTheWhiteRose: The problem is that Bielsa gave us such an exciting brand of football to watch. Everyone really enjoyed watching us play and it made so many feel connected to the club. Some people just can’t move on from it because Farke’s too predictable. It’s all about the results, nothing else
@TallentireMedia: Hasn’t 2024 seen two of the most memorable nights in decades? Leicester & Norwich at ER. Routine home wins have never resulted in cauldrons of noise at any ground. People have selective memories
@jooji_x: When youve come down from PL and expectations are high you expect to win and the atmosphere is sometimes lacking. Happened to Blades. It gets going when it needs to though. Ellabd Road atmosphere was good when we were there a few weeks ago.
@dzialowskimatt: I’ll take the Wins and the 3pts but Saturday was probably the worst I’ve felt it’s been excitement wise for a long time. It’s not just the football though, it’s the officials, the time wasting, the constant moving out the way for people and their massive pizza boxes 😂
@MathewForth: Just modern football, isn’t it? We’ve had the prem now, after so long of chasing it, and there’s a feeling of going back there not really being that great. I think the excitement would come back if we got up, stayed up, then had a serious go of it (which we definitely would)
@chefdelano: Wins are wins but yes the football is really dull at times
@GlenH84: Dull makes ER dull. The frustration is when predictable doesn’t get results. Predictable subs, predictable patterns, predictable 31FI formations with no real clue what to do. A narrow minded transfer strategy around
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@Tomtheleedstim: My lad and three of his mates left at half-time on Saturday. He said they were completely bored. Can’t help thinking that’s not a very good sign.
@Godders17: I think you guys missed the point. How do you make it more entertaining against teams who put 4 in front of a back 5 and offer very little going forward. The Shedf U game was good as they came to attack if possible.
@LiamDel56079155: Supporters feel “we’ve been here before” so waiting until 2025 to up the ante. That’s when the prizes are dished out
@Lonewhite101: Why is the fool on the right going on about are we top yet? When #lufc have only been top ONCE under fraud since it got relegated in 61 games. Never been a top of the table team
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