Love Is In The Air
By this time of every year, we have already dismissed our
new diet and fitness regime as an unworkable fantasy, we have already suffered
with a horrendous head cold and we have considered quitting our job on at least
half a dozen occasions. But the mornings are getting ever so slightly lighter
and, hey, there’s some crocuses flowering over there so the downhill momentum
towards a hedonistic summer of relentless partying and sunshine, yes even in
Leeds, is on.
February is that month where nothing really happens apart
from FA Cup replays and the mother-in-law’s birthday, and it is one of those
periods where the winter seems to be going on forever, even though we are
starting to make plans for a brighter, warmer and happier time. But there is
one key date that we would all be foolish to forget, February 14th, and
of course we won’t this year, for two reasons. Firstly, the love of our life
deserves a treat on Valentine’s Day and the date is imprinted on our mind
because we wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity to express in the form of
chocolates, flowers or a four-pack of beers how much we respect, savour and
cherish every moment with our loved one. And secondly, because Leeds United are
at home that day.
Across the land, when the 2016/17 fixtures came out last
June, every Leeds fan made a mental note to thank the Football League for once
again scheduling a home game for Valentine’s Day, so that the extra effort we
make on February 13th will really go down a treat and be remembered
fondly as we disappear out of the door 24 hours later just as our other half is
chilling the champagne and rustling up a three-course feast. So yes, for us
Leeds fans it is a thrice-cooked pie warmed up from last Saturday’s home game
and returning home to our dinner in the bin or the dog’s stomach instead. But
such is life, and secretly we suspect, and indeed hope, that our loved ones
would prefer the telly and the chocolates all to themselves anyway.
And it doesn’t mean that love isn’t in the air on February
14th, because Leeds United fans have fallen in love with this team.
New signings such as Luke Ayling, Kyle Bartley and Pablo Hernandez have
gladdened our hearts like none of the endless stream of mediocrity passing for
Leeds United players have in the last decade or more, while youngsters like
Ronaldo Vieira and Kalvin Phillips show an energy and vitality that we love to
see in our Academy products. Even established players like Chris Wood, Stuart
Dallas and Charlie Taylor have won over fans this season and it is refreshing
to see a Leeds United team gelling as a unit and bringing out the best in each
other, rather than plodding around aimlessly and showing no evidence that they
work on anything in training during the week.
But there’s one man who has enamoured himself to the Elland
Road crowd to a degree not seen since Vinnie Jones grabbed us by the throat,
fixed us with his enraged eyes and drafted out a contract insisting we loved
him, written in our own blood. That man is Pontus Jansson. For a long time the
Leeds United faithful have been looking for heroes, at some points just anybody
who can take responsibility and maybe score the odd goal or 20. But the
panorama has been so bereft of quality, leadership and character and the Elland
Road atmosphere has reflected that barren emptiness. It is not solely Pontus
that has ignited the fans this season, of course, but he is a huge part of it
and the first Leeds player since Luciano Becchio to have a rousing song about
him sung endlessly on repeat.
Jansson arrived at Elland Road as a lost soul himself; un-selected
and unloved at Torino in Italy and disillusioned with the game, and in Leeds
fans he has found a reciprocal need for attachment and belief in something
real. Has there ever been a more compatible coupling of two parties so adrift
and disorientated and so in need of each other? Jansson is the kind of player
who not only understands Leeds fans and what they need, but has the
personality, fearlessness and bravado to pull it off. Many have tried and many
have failed, but in Jansson we have the real deal, and now he is ours on a
permanent basis.
The day after his 89th minute winner had secured
three hard-earned points at Blackburn Rovers, it was announced that Jansson’s
loan deal with Torino would be made permanent in the summer, for a sum of £3.5
million. It is more than Leeds have paid for anyone in nearly 15 years, but it
is still a complete bargain in today’s market, and the most important thing is
that it sealed the deal, the circle of love was complete and we are now stuck
with each other, for better or worse. We have even invited Pontus over for a
pint in the Old Peacock now he is settled in Leeds, and he would be following
in some esteemed footsteps, not least one Vincent Jones, if he were to spend a
post-training afternoon with us over a pint or two.
Of course, the hope now is that Jansson can play his part
for the rest of the season and beyond, and while he is happy to take the
limelight and be at the forefront of Leeds United’s charge to the play-offs,
Garry Monk and the rest of the team are quietly going about their business. February
sees three home games for us to navigate at the Old Peacock, starting with a
double header of Cardiff City (Saturday 11th) and Bristol City
(Tuesday 14th) followed by another Yorkshire Derby against Sheffield
Wednesday (Saturday 25th). By the end of that run of games we should
have a much clearer idea of where Leeds stand in their pursuit of promotion.
The nagging feeling is that the top two automatic spots are just that little
bit out of reach, but all we can do is keep the momentum going and make sure we
are as close as possible should either Brighton or Newcastle falter.
At the Old Peacock we are looking forward to this run of
home games, as it seems 2017 hasn’t quite got going yet with no big Saturday
games for us so far. Rest assured we will be ready, and while we have no big
plans for romantic set meals for two on Valentine’s Night, because the pub will
be ram-packed with you lot creating a very different vibe, we are quite content
that Pontus is leading us and love is very much in the air.
