The right changes in the right places have transformed Leeds United this season, putting diamond formations in the past and diamond players in key positions. Pontus Jansson we know about; Kyle Bartley we've heard of. We're hearing more now about Eunan O'Kane, too. At first he looked (to
I believe in coaching, but after so many years of regressing defenders, I no longer believe in it at Leeds. Perhaps we fell foul of a curse, and need Norman Hunter and Jack Charlton to bless our centre-halves using whichever parts of their fists are most persuasive.
The other players seemed slow to join Chris Wood. Perhaps they were waiting to see if he was about to produce a bike chain from somewhere and pile into the supporters, finishing what he started on Tuesday night. He was shouting a lot, but I'm willing to assume it was all nice things.
Let's use Chris Wood here as a metaphor for Leeds United; because until we're not scuffing headers from three yards, we've not proven anything, and there's nothing to gain from being cocky.
Luke Ayling had a solid debut at right back, playing arrogantly in a good way; he'll probably make several eyecatching mistakes (it's the ponytail) but he'll probably also score a couple of sensational goals and serve some long suspensions for winning fights (it's the ponytail). He'll be popular.
Whether there will be anything more to celebrate on Saturday, I’m less sure about. But I’m certain it depends on Pablo Hernandez.
It's bad enough dealing with our own head coach. "Tactically," he said. "Tactically, we've got it right today." And lost 2-1 to a team 20th in the table.
Perhaps one day putting my money into the club and into the hands of a Leeds fan won't feel like completely opposite things, which is a lot of what this pre-match protest was about.
This is how this weekend felt. Not just the defeat, but the manner of it, the way the cosmos seemed to be taking the monumental piss.
When Chris Wood scores a goal like that and runs to the fans in the South Stand, we're the ones who are so desperate to be there to cheer him that we'll pay any price and suffer any indignity.