Sam Byram says Leeds United now has a ‘completely different’ feel to it than during his first spell.
Byram was speaking on the latest episode of the Official Leeds United Podcast, where he was asked about just how much has changed since he was last at the club.
Having progressed through Leeds’ academy, Byram spent three-and-a-half-years as a first team player at Elland Road before joining West Ham United in January 2016.
Byram was one of a handful of bright sparks through a bleak time at Leeds, where poor ownership from the likes of Massimo Cellino meant the club was a mess both on and off the pitch.
After stints at West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Norwich City, Byram returned on a free transfer to Leeds in the summer with the Whites in a completely different place, despite having just been relegated.
Byram says Leeds is now ‘completely different’ to first spell
Byram believes that almost every aspect of the club is now much better than it was before, from the playing squad, brand of football and excitement from supporters on a matchday.
He said: “It is completely different to how it is now. When you are in it you don’t necessarily realise until you have been elsewhere. I think there was a season where I had six or seven managers in one season, obviously the squad how it is now and the structure of the club is so much more stable.
“As well, you can sense on a matchday now, 99% of the time the stadium is sold out and you really feel that excitement and energy. Comparing to that when I was previously here, I think there were two games I played in the cup against Spurs and Chelsea at home where the ground was sold out and you really got a sense of, this is the real Leeds.
“I’m not blaming fans, the three seasons I was here we were a below mid-table team and weren’t playing attractive football. That contrast as well, and like you say the difference in managers, it’s completely different.”
Byram must be loving new Leeds
It is brilliant that Byram has been handed another chance in his career to play for the club he progressed through the ranks of the academy at, with it in a much better place.
As he eluded to, Byram rarely got the opportunity to play in front of a sold out Elland Road in his first spell, something which he now gets to experience almost every game.
He must also be really enjoying playing alongside some of the players in the current squad, considering who was at Leeds back then.
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