Leeds United: A Season to Forget?

This season has been memorable for what are probably all the wrong reasons. Managerial changes, off-field controversy, dodgy results, derby defeats, losing streaks etc. etc. But the one thing to shout about has to be the fan support. United averaged the highest away following over the season alongside the fourth highest average home attendance, 2,755 and 24,276 respectively, with Alex Mowatt labelling it "tremendous all season". Here's the Mighty Whites month-by-month season review, try to push back the memories.

August

The season gets underway with a 2-0 defeat to Millwall. What? Stop? Okay I don't really want to talk about that either, anyway turns out they got relegated. We managed wins over Bolton and Middlesborough in August, with Billy Sharp's 88th-minute winner give the Elland Road crowd something to cheer about. Anyway we finished August with 2 wins, 3 losses and a new manager with David Hockaday being sacked on the 28th August following the defeat at Valley Parade (We'll gloss over that one). A sign of what was to come.

September

September saw Redders' first stint in charge and it went pretty well! He started with a 1-1 against Birmingham, followed by a 3-1 away win at eventual Champions Bournemouth, with top scorer Antenucci getting his first goal of the season, and a huge 3-0 derby win over local enemy Huddersfield Town in what was to be our biggest win of the season. However this wasn't enough to give Redders the job permanently and Darko Milanic took over on 23rd September, immediately tasting defeat away at Brentford.

October

I think we'll pass over October as if it didn't really happen. 5 games, 0 wins, 3 points, sacked manager.

 Bye. 

November

Redfearn appointed head coach on a one-year rolling contract. With the club sat in 18th position they needed an up turn in form, and they (sort of) got one. 2 defeats, 2 wins and a draw for the boys in November, with the impressive Alex Mowatt bagging three goals this month, including both goals in the 2-2 draw against Charlton. Gameweek 19 saw us defeat Derby County 2-0 through two Antenucci goals. Always a nice feeling. Oh there was also a threat of a winding up order but apparently that all blew over...

 Bang.

December

Winter is coming. And boy did it hit Leeds hard. December 1st saw Cellino's disqualification from the board of directors by the Football League. Leeds then found out that they had broken Financial Fair Play regulations, Bellusci faced a charged for racial abuse, and more importantly we only picked up 1 point from 5 games. Merry Christmas ya filthy animal.

January

ALERT. ALERT. WE HAVE AN UNDEFEATED MONTH. I REPEAT AN UNDEFEATED MONTH. No, I couldn't believe it either. Well it was almost undefeated, we lost to Sunderland in the FA Cup but that doesn't count... Two draws and two wins in the league, including wins over Huddersfield HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA and AFC Bournemouth to complete doubles for the season against these two clubs. Did I mention we beat Huddersfield. Ooooooh Billy Sharp...

Oh Cellino got banned for tax fraud as well, wouldn't be back until April.

February

Again, not so bad. Turns out Redders isn't doing such a bad job! Defeat at Brentford was followed by wins over Reading, Millwall and of course Middlesborough. We are literally the reason they didn't get promoted. An Alex Mowatt deflected strike gave us the win there and we were back up to 11th position, our highest place of the campaign. Bellusci was also cleared of racial abuse which is always a positive. Then we lost twice to finish the month, but who cares, Boro didn't get promoted.

 Boom.

March

Surely, surely not again. I don't believe it. ANOTHER UNDEFEATED MONTH! Firstly, Cellino's ban was extended...potentially a positive. Anyway, wins over Ipswich, Wigan and Fulham (0-3, our biggest away win of the year), as well as draws with Forest and Blackpool meant we went a whole month unbeaten! For reals this time as well! Mowatt continued his impressive season by bagging two more goals in March.

April

April? What's April? Never heard of it. Nope.

Okay, okay. Thompson sacking leads to slump in form. 5 straight defeats. AND THEN A WIN AT SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY! Goals from Taylor and Morison rescued Redders and the club, who were safe from relegation already but it's always nice to win now and then.

Oh we had player-gate as well, where six Cellino signings refused to travel to the Valley for the Charlton game due to 'injuries'. It was all a bit odd.

I'd just like to point out I set this page up after the Charlton defeat to you're welcome.

 Beautiful.

May

The return of Cellino to the club has placed Redders future in jeapardy despite a largely successful reign. Cellino was allowed back for the final game of the season against Rotherham but didn't turn up due to fears of probable protest. Fans wore purple as a a sign of support for Redders and Steve Evans looked like a muppet. Oh and we drew 0-0. Yawn. 

Summary

Overall a season to put to the back of your minds. Just ahead of relegation to League One but probably still behind Play Off defeat to Watford. 15th placed. 46 games played. 56 points. 15 wins, 11 draws, 20 losses. 50 goals scored and 61 conceded. SO AVERAGE IT'S UNREAL. 

Our top scorer was Antenucci with 10 goals in 37 games and goalkeeper Silvestri made the most appearances with 43 in the league. Bellusci was our player with the worst discipline (shocker) with 13 yellows, 2 reds and an FA disciplinary hearing. Dirty Leeds.

So I think we're going to have to say that this is a building year, the performances of Lewis Cook, who was named apprentice of the year, Sam Byram, Player of the Year Alex Mowatt and the guidance of Redders all stands us in good stead for a better season next year.

Although apparently we could be Leeds Red Bulls by then and have Thierry Henry up front, but I'm sure I've heard that one before...

Anyway thanks for your support and readership over these last few games of the season and we're hoping to grow as a site come next year!