Pre-season. The only time of year every Leeds fan is genuinely optimistic.
The summer transfer window's open, Farke's been on the training pitch, and nobody's had a chance to bottle anything yet. Right now, we're all believers. That's the beauty of it — for a few weeks in July and August, the gap between where we are and where we want to be feels narrow enough to jump.
Last season was the first time in two years we were back where we belong. The Premier League returned to Elland Road, the noise came back with it, and for long stretches of the campaign Farke's side looked like they actually belonged there. They stayed up with something to spare. That's the foundation. Now let's build on it.
The Fixtures That Matter
We start away at Nottingham Forest on 22 August — a ground where we haven't won since 2017. Four games there since, four defeats. Farke will know the record. The players will know the record. Lose this and the knives come out before we've even played at home. Win it and the tone is set for everything that follows.
The first home game is Brentford on 30 August. They've drawn all three Premier League games they've played at Elland Road. Time to change that. The atmosphere for the first home game of a new season is something else — if you've been there for one you know what it feels like. Elland Road in full voice with something to prove is one of football's better experiences.
Then there's 17 October. Manchester United at Elland Road.
We won at Old Trafford last season for the first time in the league since 1981. Let's make it a habit. The return fixture at Old Trafford is May 15 — depending on how both seasons are going, that one could be enormous.
Boxing Day takes us to Aston Villa. New Year sees Everton and Manchester City visit Elland Road in quick succession. The spring run-in looks tough — Liverpool, Ipswich, Arsenal and Man United — but after last season, nobody's going to bottle it. Not this squad.
What We're Hoping For
Survival was the target last year. This year the bar moves. Mid-table. A cup run. Harry Wilson doing something ridiculous from 25 yards. Anton Stach scoring at Villa again just because once wasn't enough.
More than any of that — we want to see Leeds play with the swagger that Elland Road demands. The fans will give it everything. They always do. The least we ask is that it gets matched on the pitch.
Gear Up for the New Season
If you're heading to the City Ground on the 22nd, to the Brentford opener, or to any of the 38 games that follow — do it properly. New season, new reason to wear it.
Our Leeds United t-shirts and tank tops are made for exactly this. Whether you're a Bleed Leeds person, a Marching On Together person, or you just want the ALAW badge on your chest — we've got you covered. Made to order, free UK shipping over £20.
See you at the match.
MOT. All Leeds Aren't We.