Leeds United hatred detailed by Phil Hay as Daniel Farke wears brave face
Leeds United supporters are lacking in enthusiasm for their side and understandably so, according to The Athletic's Phil Hay.
Hay reported on Sunday [5 May] about how Daniel Farke's players did not give the impression that the home stretch was still there to be run, with a play-off semi-final against the German's ex-club Norwich City providing a final shot at an immediate Premier League return.
Farke knows all about promotion to the Premier League, and now his sole mission is to prevent the Canaries repeating the achievement he twice guided the club to himself.
Leeds led the Championship table in mid-March following a 2-0 win over Millwall, and had won 13 in 15 between January and April, but have since lost four in six sparking an internal inquest as Ipswich Town joined Leicester City in the automatic promotion spots.
"They hate the play-offs around here, genuinely hate them, but the tightrope Leeds are now walking is not predominantly about that," wrote Hay.
"What the Elland Road crowd sees is a team passively free-wheeling, in sharp contrast to the early part of the year.
"Farke is wearing his bravest face, with a week now between games to show that all will end well and that his confidence is not a bluff."
What has to change at Leeds United before the play-offs?
As Hay described, Saturday at Elland Road brought a subdued atmosphere - the second Ipswich took an early lead against Huddersfield Town, the Whites faithful were resigned to their fate.
This will inevitably be in stark contrast to next week's semi-final first leg, but with Leeds' play-off record, fans will be there out of duty, watching through gritted teeth and trying not to recall just a few weeks ago when they spearheaded the EFL.
Takeaways from the defeat by Southampton - with whom they could well reunite at Wembley - were that certain players were awful, online debates about stars not celebrating their teammates' goals, and an inflatable doughnut by a steward.
Farke will be the focus of the narrative across the two legs of the semis via his prior achievements in this division with Norwich - who, contrary to Leeds, spent most of the season outside the top six.
The optimistic front he is exhibiting is hardly a surprise - he's been around long enough to know any sign of pity will funnel through to his players, and then the supporters.
Leeds must start well against Norwich to spur on their 12th man, no excuses.
In other Leeds United news, the club are linked with a former Chelsea and Dortmund striker.
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