For many fans, the Football League has rarely been on Leeds’ side. Some supporters can recount numerous occasions when the system seems to have been particularly harsh on the Whites.
The draw with Brentford will certainly be remembered in infamy as one game where Leeds were let down. A questionable penalty given for the visitors, and a red card that wasn’t awarded prompted a number of Leeds fans to warn West Brom and Wigan supporters about Jeremy Simpson’s officiating.
The subsequent decisions from the FA to allow Sergi Canos to get away with a cowardly headbutt on Gjanni Alioski and to charge Pontus Jansson for his post-match comments only increased the frustration.
Jansson can have few complaints as his outburst resulted in a reprimand. How Canos has avoided punishment however, is remarkable.
Jansson’s comments summed up how a lot of fans felt about the game. But while the supporters may feel that two points were potentially stolen from Marcelo Bielsa’s men, perhaps the poor officiating and subsequent bizarre verdict on Canos’ actions will do Leeds a big favour – just as another controversial decision did 11 years ago.
Haven’t we been here before?
In hindsight, a points deduction before the 2007/08 season was one of the best things that could have happened.
The club was in disarray. But the anger of starting the campaign on -15 seemed to inspire a remarkable year for the Whites. They returned to 0 points after five games and ultimately finished fifth. Only poor play-off final performance denied Leeds promotion.
The need for the same siege mentality this time around is clearly not as great. But Jansson’s comments and the frustration of the last fortnight should light the same fire in the Leeds squad that the points deduction ignited.
If it does light that fire, those who seemingly have an agenda to keep Leeds in the Football League may be about to have those hopes go up in smoke.