Luke Ayling: Return of fans at Elland Road will drive tempo of Leeds games
Luke Ayling believes the lack of supporters in stadiums has had a substantial impact on the way Leeds United games are being played.
The restrictions placed on the country by the government in light of the covid-19 pandemic has meant that fans have been missing from most grounds for over 12 months now.
In an interview aired on Sky Sports News [14:30, 09/03/21] Ayling lamented the lack of fans on the terraces and said it has affected performances.
“For it to be a year on now it’s quite sad to say but I think us players are quite used to it now without fans being there but that’s not right,” he said.
“We can’t wait for fans to be back in and I think the tempo of games will go back to what they were.
“After lockdown it was a bit slower, I certainly feel at the moment the tempo of games is a lot slower to when fans were there.
“Once fans get back into stadiums then I can only imagine what the tempo will be like.”
Fans can drive us to next level
Compared to most teams the Whites are not usually prone to lacking intensity but it is telling that Ayling has made reference to it.
It sounds like we can expect even more from this group when fans eventually return.
We all saw the effect that a packed Elland Road had on our team as we set on our way to the Championship title last season.
The demands that Marcelo Bielsa sets of his charges can be tough to take sometimes with legs looking weary towards the latter stages of matches but the noise and passion of supporters can lift even the most tired of players.
There are few sounds greater than that of an Elland Road roar and we think that will spur us on to reach new heights.
According to Soccer Stats our home record is the ninth-worst in the league and we’re actually picking up more points in away fixtures.
That will surely change when Premier League sides have to face the wrath of Whites supporters.
In other Leeds United news, talkSPORT pundits left shell-shocked by Whites in West Ham loss.