Re: 2010/2011 English Premier League
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i'm similar. i've always been interested in the EPL and watch a lot of games, especially before and after daylight savings... but i'm way more interested in the a-league because i see my team play live every second week.
like barnzy, i have never chosen an EPL team. i have always kept an eye on the teams where aussies play and have intimated at times that i follow liverpool. i don't really, i just enjoyed the city when i visited 7 years ago... plus i don't wanna be categorised as a bandwagon jumper (although i guess the reds aren't big 4 team anymore).
i have always favoured teams over others for stupid reasons. eg. i hate chelsea because they're toffs. i prefer man city over manure because of their underdog status in that town. i did like hull because they're the tigers. i like blackpool because i have family there (as well as southhampton). i quite like arsenal because i admire the way they play...
but i need to pull my finger out and chose a team. i'm seriously considering everton... but if anyone out there is willing to provide me with a convincing argument as to why i should support their team, well i'm all ears...
I got into Leeds in my late primary into high school years. Having Viduka and Harry Kewell in their career best form playing for them helped consolidate it.
Also loved players like Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbank and Tony Yeboah in arguably their career best form, while donning the all white Leeds strip in the 1990s.
I liked the parallels to Richmond too. Kings of the 1960s-70s, with an large, rabid following (rather infamous for certain elements of their following) that had a large fall from grace in more recent decades (albeit the down decades didn’t quite line up with ours). So were considered somewhat of a sleeping giant.
In recent seasons Marcelo Beilsa has had them playing a no guts, no glory very attacking game. Hugely entertaining. High risk, high reward. You don’t play for draws. If the other team scores, you don’t defend to limit the damage, you go out to score MORE than them. It has lead to some floggings, but it has also meant Leeds scoring some big scores themselves. And many believe he has had the squad at his disposal achieving above themselves. Firstly to get promotion (after 17 years in the wilderness and a near death financial experience) in emphatic style. But to then finish only just outside European qualification in their first season back.
I have been to a game at Elland Road too. One of the remaining old school stadiums left. And really cranks the atmosphere on game days. Just an indescribably different experience to the soulless cookie cutter stadiums many teams play in now. Can only imagine how it will go up another level when a reincarnation of standing terraces comes to Elland Road over the next year.
After their near death experience, they are trying to climb back up the heap in a financially sustainable way, through astute purchases, natural improvement and promoting youth from within.