It might only be me, but despite me being as gutted as the next man about last year, I’m really looking forward to watching the new documentary . Last season was a relighting of the memories I had watching Revie’s Leeds, it’s been a long time ....with the only relief being the couple of Wilkinson years; the -15 year, League 1 promotion. Those are highlighted not because of anything we won or didn’t win, just the proud feeling of seeing Leeds do well, and seeing non-Leeds supporters enjoying our football. So I’m hoping we've not just got a couple of ‘Bielsa years’ before we slump back into mediocrity again 😞
This made me think about the ‘negativity’ debate that was being discussed on the Take Me Home article by The Hayemaker.
I have to say that last year, and hopefully this, it’s been an amazing journey so far...far exceeding my expectations....and I’ve enjoyed enjoying it if you know what I mean. No, we didn’t win promotion but I challenge you to find anyone who didn’t enjoy the run to the Champions League Semi final (which we didn’t win either)!
So when I’ve seen people going on about AR isn’t doing this and Orta isn’t doing that, and the documentary shouldn’t have been released unless we got promoted, etc etc. ..... I have to admit that, for me, all this ‘complaining’, to me, dents my enjoyment, and smacks of people never being satisfied...and maybe a sense of entitlement that people expect everything and get upset when it isn’t delivered. But life isn’t like that. None of us know much about things that impact on our lives, nor have any influence on it.
I’m not saying the comments being made are wrong, but as most of the people making the comments don’t really know one way or the other, and are just expressing their ‘take’, it just seems that people aren’t taking this opportunity to just ENJOY IT !
In the last 45 years, 80-90% has been disappointment with little to savour.
I implore you all .....enjoy the ride. If we fall, we fall. Having someone or something to blame if we do fall won’t make it better.
I know the easy answer is to leave the forum or block individuals whose comments do seem to reduce my enjoyment....but there other stuff on this forum I enjoy so that’s not the answer for me. Not expecting anyone to change behaviour. You are who you are. I suppose I was just wondering...is it me that just feels like this??
Footnote: was just about to post the musings above when I saw this.....
This comment was posted on ‘Bristol Live’ relating to an article on Nketiah who they were in for.....
“Leeds as a club attracted EN to join them but in particular the work done by Orta has been the butt of criticism by the muppets who, while pretending to be fans of the club do nothing but criticise the club and the people running it. People like ***** on ja606 are very scathing in their criticism and the club would be better off without him and his type."
Now I don’t agree the club would be better off without those people.....but I understand why they might think that. Although I haven’t seen the documentary yet, I hear there’s a piece within it where the players are discussing the stuff that is posted on social media forums just like JA606.... and it DOES have an impact on them. So perhaps those intent on delivering that ‘scathing criticism’ ought to consider cooling the personal attacks, whether aimed at players on the pitch or those off the pitch. It can’t be supportive where it has the potential to damage.....and hiding behind “well that’s my opinion" doesn’t really justify it, does it?
Enjoying Leeds
posted on 16/8/19
Great read, all fans should back the club who are doing there best to get us back to the top.
After the last few owners it's good to see we are at last moving in the right direction,the style of football under this fantastic manager has been a revalation as Salonika says we should enjoy it while we can.
posted on 16/8/19
Great article, Salonika, particularly regarding the impact of social media discourse on player performance. Must be huge and difficult to manage, I'd say.
posted on 16/8/19
And yes, last season was fantastic: let's carry on enjoying the ride! It's legitimate and natural to express doubts and frustrations but there's always a bit of weirdness hanging around the edges of these forums - which again, sadly, is human nature. Players have got to stay away from it!
posted on 16/8/19
One of the greatest articles ever written
MOT
posted on 17/8/19
It’s telling that original koppite who got banned from here a number of times some years ago is still spouting his bile now on a Bristol city website and that you somehow just happened across it Salonika.
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/lee-johnson-gives-side-eddie-3216342
I enjoy the ride as much as the next person but people like koppite destroyed this forum and it’s strange to find people still following him around.
posted on 17/8/19
As for the impact of social media on players, unlike some, I never ever abuse players online, indeed after playoff defeat I messaged all I could offering support as I do if a player leaves. I never call people donkeys etc in here etc, I do however call out what I see as bad governance of something that is really important to me and has seen me through some personal bad times.
We can’t go through life whitewashing what we feel is going on in case someone reads it and somehow finds offence in it.
I’d bd much more concerned about a fan shouting abuse at bamford or tweeting abuse at casilla than people in ja606 composing about Orta’s success rate or ARs lack of spending.
posted on 17/8/19
Good article.
I get p****d off with constant negativity in all aspects of life; home, work & Leeds United. Equally I'm not a shrinking violet and if something isn't or doesn't appear right, I'll voice my opinion.
I've been scathing of certain players but like to think I've been able to acknowledge good performances too.
The balance of opinion makes for a good forum. If we all agreed then there's not much point. Often it's the way points of view are articulated and then posters being chastised/hounded for not having the "right" opinion.
I was persuaded to sign up for The Athletic. I'm not a fan of Phil Hay but the quality of what I've seen thus far is way above the drivel we find via Newsnow for example.
One specific article focuses on Orta. I would urge all to read it. Very interesting.
posted on 17/8/19
I never used to think player abuse on twitter had an impact, that episode changed my mind. I would never tweet abuse to any player but I just assumed they would not bother reading comments to them. If I was a player, I would be nowhere near twitter, don't see any benefit at all
posted on 17/8/19
Everything that’s consumed impacts in some way. I never understand why people give their own players such abuse.
I’ll never forget away at Palace and the abuse Snoddy was getting and he turned and looked st the fabs, you could see he was genuinely shocked.
When he’s on holiday a few weeks later contemplating his future I’m sure he’s half thinking well, if they dint like me here....
It’s bullying and it’s cowardly whether it’s abusing players at a match, on Twitter or even constant digs on here.
posted on 17/8/19
Totally hate the abuse players get.. Bamford suffering from it too from a certain section..
Chapman had it.. macallister had it.. both great players for the club!
It’s sickening.. some people forget these are young lads, human beings..