Leeds United man has simple two-word message for Elland Road fans tonight
After a scoreless draw in the first leg of the semi-final, Leeds United takes on Norwich City at Elland Road this evening in an attempt to book their spot in the Championship playoff final.
The outcome of Leeds’ playoff match against Norwich City this week will determine their fate for the season; victory tonight will guarantee a spot at Wembley in late May.
Coming back to LS11 this evening, one could argue that Leeds are at an advantage after the teams drew 0-0 at Carrow Road on Sunday.
Joel Piroe issues rallying cry to Leeds fans for tonight’s game
Elland Road is sure to be lively this evening as supporters of the home team attempt to propel the Whites closer to a trip to Wembley.
However, following a significant decline in form towards the end of the season, nerves are already starting to surface, and it shows in the players’ performances as well.
Joel Piroe, nevertheless, posted a short video to Instagram with the following message for the Elland Road supporters who will be watching tonight:
View this post on Instagram
“Believe it!”
Elland Road should be bouncing tonight for Leeds v Norwich
You can blame the anxiety of the automatic promotion race for Elland Road’s lack of complete bounce for a while.
But the crowd’s response when the full-time siren blew against Southampton will be crucial to pushing these players over the finish line.
That atmosphere should persist tonight, creating an ideal environment for our players while making life miserable for the Norwich team.
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Leeds Could Be Forced to Sell 10 Players This Summer
Leeds United knows that losing will have significant long-term effects even though they are only two games away from perhaps returning to the Premier League.
Should Leeds United fail to secure promotion, young star Archie Gray—who has been linked to European clubs—may leave the team and affect the fan base. Leeds United will reportedly be forced to sell £100 million worth of players if they fail to win promotion back to the Premier League. The Whites will find out their fate if they lose to Norwich City on Thursday evening at Elland Road, or in the play-off final against West Bromwich Albion or Southampton the following weekend.
Leeds will need to win promotion back to the top division in order to retain their finest players, as player values are declining in the Championship. In addition to the increased prestige that comes with playing in the Premier League, players are more inclined to sign with a team that is in the top division. Conversely, values decline the longer a team is in the second division because of a lack of funding and players’ unwillingness to sign new contracts.
And if they win without being promoted, any mistakes might lead to a mass exodus at Elland Road since they have two crucial games that could make or break their season.
Leeds United: Transfer News Latest
The Whites face a huge summer regardless of division
Five of Leeds’ current crop of stars have already been named, and the Daily Mail reports that the team will be obliged to sell about ten of them if promotion is not secured. Aston Villa, Chelsea, Newcastle, and Crysencio Summerville are all rumoured to be in the running for the 22-year-old, who would likely be playing European football next season somewhere other than Elland Road. Summerville is their most valuable asset, having scored 20 goals in 47 games for the Yorkshire club this summer.
Young talents Georginio Rutter, Willy Gnonto, and Illan Meslier may depart in other places. The last four years have seen Meslier play goalkeeping for Leeds, having come on as a young player. Meanwhile, Gnonto has been an absolute beast, and Rutter was chosen in the Championship Team of the Season, all of which have left emotional scars on the hearts of Leeds supporters.
Patrick Bamford is one who won’t come as a surprise. The Premier League star from Leeds, who scored 17 goals in Leeds’ first season back in the top division and earned an England call-up as a result, excelled in the league but has struggled to regain his shooting form this season. He may possibly be leaving after six years of service in west Yorkshire.
Leeds United Fans Will Be Hoping For Deja Vu Avoidance
Leeds have history in losing in the play-offs
Naturally, it will be some time before you can even consider the possibility that Leeds could return to League One. Their 14-year tenure in the top division came to an abrupt end in 2004 when they were relegated from the Premier League to the Championship due to financial issues. However, Leeds’ financial difficulties did not end there. Three seasons after being demoted, including a play-off loss, they were demoted once again due to a 10-point deduction.
Important Fact: Over the past 20 seasons, Leeds has played in 17 different leagues outside the Premier League.
Although Derby, Sheffield Wednesday, Reading, and Wigan have all been relegated following point deductions in recent seasons, Leeds may be conscious of trying to avoid the turmoil they experienced in the mid-2000s again, especially since it took them three seasons to win promotion back to the Championship. That is not to say that the club’s current situation is as bad as it was back then.
When Leeds achieved promotion to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa, the fan base believed that the club’s worst days were behind them. Therefore, their inability to win promotion again to the Premier League could cause anxieties.
