OK this may sound like a wind-up thread, but it's only a question and I'll state my reasoning for it below (nothing to do with being proud of our prestigious history by the way): - When we have a midfield problem like now, the players some fans are calling for are Smith and Bowyer. - When we have defensive problems, Woodgate's name is invariably mentioned. - When the goalkeeping coach takes some stick, I've seen Leeds fans calling for Nigel Martyn to be brought back to replace Andy Beasley. - When the defenders or Academy are performing poorly, it's Radebe who should come in and steady the ship according to some Leeds fans. We've even been linked with Olivier Dacourt, Eirik Bakke, David O'Leary, Stephen McPhail, Ian Harte, Shaun Derry, David Healy, Matt Kilgallon and Warren Feeney over the past couple of years; stories which were probably only in the press because of gossip and suggestions from Leeds fans. So is it that Leeds fans really are living in the past? Do we just have a huge dedication to our old boys; once Leeds always Leeds mentality? Or is it just a lack of imagination and awareness? Is there any other club whose fans have such a great desire to re-recruit ex-players?
I think every club who looses a favourite player or Manager looks to the past if they become available... Our problem is two fold we also had a big fall from grace....... justfied by over spending and a lack of common sense on many fronts by many people. This has resulted in even more want to return to the glory days and the clammer for the old boys to return..... when you look out some of our failed managers in the past they have been ex players idolised by us.... so do we have a problem ...yes we do. I hope one day we will return to the top flight and get back at least somewhere near where we were but the Prem is a much different place now... we look for some new blood and experience to build a Leeds that can be a force and keep a place in the Prem whenever we return if thats next season or the season after... as for current ex players deep down i cant see Smith or Woody coming back...Smith linked to West ham today!! Bowyer i dont want back..... The backroom team i think did a decent job last year and would be foolish to change......i think again the want is blinded by the individuals and what they did for us when we were in the top flight and beating the top teams in Europe...... and people think a great player always makes a great coach (not true) lets see what the next 4 weeks brings!!! But one thing for sure "its always a rollercoaster"
Smith will probably go to West Ham remember Sam BOUGHT HIM TO NEWCASTLEand they don,t mind paying out big wages
Well if im honest,as a City fan,when having some good humoured banter(well half good humoured) with Leeds fans i was always confronted with the same old,weve won this that and..... At the time we were in the prem,you girls(sic) league 1. My reply was always the same. Live in the past Die in the past. Hope this helps !
I did say the thread had "nothing to do with being proud of our prestigious history by the way", more talking about the desire for ex-players to return. I take it the "City" you support is Hull from your small-club anti-trophy mentality... would have asked you if Hull fans have ever felt the same about wanting old boys to return but I guess as a club who've been on a big rise over the last decade, that would be a stupid question.
Not really, there was once a bloke called Windass who came back to the club and scored an amazing volley to take us to the top flight for the first time in our history. I doubt there's another club that had a player return and play such a significant part in their history.
This season it will be 20 years since your last trophy win. 38 years since you appeared in an FA Cup final 10 years since you appeared in Europe. History is ALL you've got to talk about. As for such a massive club, you had 3 failed attempts at winning the 3rd tier title.
From what i've read, a lot of Leeds fans don't want to see old players come in, Personally I wouldn't mind Smithy back in a Leeds shirt
I think its a timing issue. Now we are back in the championship Our old successfull players from the 'glory years' are reaching the twilight of there career, its a journo's dream & very easy to make up as well!
