Former Leeds United forward Alan Smith believes the passionate Elland Road crowd can be a decisive factor in their push for Premier League promotion, but warns that nerves must not creep in and impact the team’s performance.
The Whites currently sit atop the Championship table, three points ahead of Sheffield United, with Burnley trailing by eight points but holding a game in hand. With just eleven matches left in the season, maintaining their current form could see them secure automatic promotion. However, Smith acknowledges that the pressure will only intensify as the finish line draws closer.
Leeds fans, who were unable to celebrate their last promotion due to Covid restrictions, are eager to witness their club’s return to the top flight after a two-year absence. The atmosphere at Elland Road has been electric, with Leeds dropping points at home on just four occasions this season. Their dominance on home turf has seen them shut out eleven opponents, with only Burnley managing to secure a victory at LS11.
While the Leeds faithful create an intimidating environment for visiting teams, Smith is mindful that heightened expectations can lead to anxiety in the stands. Speaking to Football League World, he highlighted the potential impact of nerves, stating:
“It can work both ways as they’re the most passionate supporters. The home crowd can get a little bit nervous because the prize is so great, and people feel it when you start to get closer to the end of the season.”
Leeds fans remain cautious, recalling the heartbreak of the 2018/19 season when their promotion hopes crumbled in the final weeks. Despite being in a strong position under Marcelo Bielsa, a disastrous run of just one point from four matches saw them slip out of the automatic spots, eventually losing in the play-off semi-finals to Derby County.
With history as a warning, no one at Elland Road will take anything for granted until promotion is mathematically secured. Smith understands the nerves that will grip the fanbase in the coming weeks but remains hopeful that Leeds can get over the line this time around.
