Interesting article

Jon Howe's latest LeedsLive article:-

We’ve known for many years that there is no keeping Leeds United out of the media spotlight. Some fans love the attention, good or bad, others would rather we kept a low profile. Rival fans might continue in blissful denial, but love them or loathe them – and it seems there really is no in between - Leeds United are always making news, and it is news that people want to hear, read and watch.

When you are running a football club like Leeds United, you can’t always control how you are portrayed. Quite apart from the disobedient nature of football matches themselves, you are at the mercy of an industry with more preconceptions about your club than perhaps anyone else. For that reason, you could question the wisdom of wanting to expose yourself further by way of a six-part documentary series on one of the biggest media platforms going. But then, when you can control the narrative and guide the levels of exposure, why wouldn’t you?

The Amazon Prime documentary series ‘Take Us Home’ is a rare opportunity for Leeds United to tell their own story, or at least their own side of it. Because lord knows, everyone has seen how this goes. Personally, I could have happily avoided reliving this trauma forever, or at least a few more months, but there is logic in lancing the boil while it is still fresh, and in some ways, drawing a line under last season as soon as possible and allowing us to move on.

In truth, this is far from a warts and all documentary, compelling though it is. Leeds are careful not to fully expose themselves, instead they teasingly lift a trouser leg and allow us a glimpse of flesh. I would like to have seen more fly-on-the-wall footage, I would like to have seen more of the murderball-style training sessions, I would like to have seen more of Bielsa's fabled methods and I’d liked to have seen more of the many characters we have in the team.

But then you have to retain an element of mystery. They say you should never meet your heroes, and perhaps seeing too much of the inner workings of Leeds United would uncover elements that we would rather not see. The club has to keep something hidden, and the series is no less fascinating for it.

While not revealing too much, there are two particularly absorbing passages; namely the Dan James saga, where the frustration, confusion and deceit is laid bare and secondly, Andrea Radrizzani’s reaction to Marcelo Bielsa’s post-Spygate press conference. Radrizzani casually admits that – irrespective of its merits - he wouldn’t have made the infamous ‘we do analysis too’ presentation to the world’s media, but rather to the Football League behind closed doors. It may have avoided the subsequent £200,000 fine, and he might be right. However, there was no anger or incredulity; perhaps explaining the respect and seniority that Bielsa enjoys, and perhaps explaining why the head coach also paid the fine himself.

After that, we are left to ‘enjoy’ the games and the hideous rollercoaster of last season. The tension is somewhat lost by Adam Pope’s valiant attempts to recreate the drama with an overdubbed commentary, presumably because the producers couldn’t secure the rights to use the BBC or Sky’s actual recordings. But of course the most chilling episode doesn’t need any commentary.

The most captivating segment of the six episodes is actually the very last one, incongruous though that sounds. Before Derby’s Jack Marriot has even dispatched the final blow in the 85th minute of the play-off semi-final second leg, the commentary has given way to the melancholy strains of Shadowlark’s stripped back version of ‘Marching On Together’, because we all know what is coming. There is no need to build up the theatre. It is a passage that is perfectly lingering and respectful, and it captures every sense of the loss in a uniform blanket of quiet, discreet and personal mourning.

Leeds-band and post-punk pioneers Gang of Four provide the perfect hook in the opening titles of each episode with their 1978 debut single ‘Damaged Goods’. You couldn’t portray Leeds United any better, and the series is bookended by another Leeds band. Shadowlark’s interpretation of the Leeds United anthem is discomforting and surreal and final.

Marcelo Bielsa’s words afterwards are a rare insight into his personal affection for Leeds United, and it is a shame we have had to wait until now to hear them. In the shuddering aftermath of the Derby defeat, they would have provided much comfort. But the ending does allow us to fast-forward to now with a sense of clarity, cohesion and confidence.