MOT View: Patrick Bamford reaction to Orta antics v Stoke sums up what Leeds fans think of DoF
Victor Orta has come in for a fair amount of stick from Leeds United fans through the years, after a number of failed transfers.
Felix Weidwald anyone?
However, there’s no doubting his passion for the club and that was in evidence again in the 5-0 win against Stoke on Thursday night.
His antics were chronicled by Graham Smyth from the Yorkshire Evening Post and started with a cry of “Vamos Leeds, together” on kick-off.
And it just got better from there.
Smyth wrote: “The directors box were lapping it up, Orta orchestrating each standing ovation as the team gathered on the touchline for a gratuitous drinks break, or as players trotted off to be substituted.
“Stuart Dallas got one, as did Klich. Every Leeds player who came off received a salute.”
After Patrick Bamford scored his first and Leeds’ fifth of the night, the striker paid tribute to Orta.
“He made the international symbol for beard, pointing to the posh seats, in a tribute to Orta,” Smyth said.
And on the full-time whistle, Luke Ayling “spotted Orta’s air-punch and flashed a smile as wide as the West Stand.”
Orta’s passion for Leeds is infectious and undeniable.
Of course, that’s not enough to make a successful director of football and Orta has delivered more than enough turkeys to Leeds.
But let’s remember, that for every Caleb Ekuban there’s a Mateusz Klich, for every Laurens de Bock there’s a Gjanni Alioski.
Orta’s record since Marcelo Bielsa arrived has improved (forgetting Jean-Kevin Augustin) and we can’t wait to see our director of football orchestrating proceedings in the Premier League.
The outpouring of relief from Leeds fans when we finally secure promotion will be immense. But the roar from Orta won’t be far behind.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Kick in the stomach’, ‘Sickener’ – Many Leeds fans react to latest Championship promotion twist