Leeds have ‘huge’ advantage over rivals in 21-22 amid Cooper reveal – Whelan
Noel Whelan expects Elland Road to become a fortress for Leeds United next season with fans set to return.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the Leeds ambassador claimed the reintroduction of fans to stadiums across the UK will benefit Marcelo Bielsa’s side more than most.
Coronavirus restrictions prevented Leeds fans from attending 18 of their 19 home Premier League fixtures last season, with a limited capacity crowd allowed to attend the final home game against West Brom.
The government announced in July that full capacity crowds would be allowed in the 2021-22 campaign, a decision welcomed by the Premier League.
Speaking to LUTV, club captain Liam Cooper revealed he is over the moon at the prospect of supporters returning to Elland Road.
When asked by Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs what impact fans return would have on Leeds, Whelan said:
“A huge impact, Elland Road will be a fortress next season with the fans back in.
“If you ask any opposition player if he enjoys going to Elland Road he will say yes, in the sense that the atmosphere is amazing but at the same time no, because it is very intimidating place to be as an opposition player.
“The fans are so loud, so vocal and so passionate. It is one hell of a place to be when it is full and it will be a daunting place for teams who are not used to that next season. We want to make it a difficult place for other teams to come and the fans will enable us to do that.
“Leeds have some of the best fans in the world. They will travel all over to follow us.
“There is a lot of excitement about this season and the return of fans is a huge reason for that.”
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