#01 – Betfair love The Scratching Shed

After a summer of fruitless transfer speculation and some heavy criticism from The Scratching Shed, Betfair retorted with a plea of love to Leeds fans. The less than subtle response to some of TSS’ criticism didn’t go unnoticed and TSS responded via Twitter, with Betfair explaining that they’re “very sensitive to criticism from [their] favourite Leeds United blog”.

Bless ‘em! We love you too Betfair!

#02 – Our away support is second to none

4,000 Whites fans out-sang 21,000 Forest fans on Sunday as the Leeds faithful enjoyed their first away trip of the season. According to this guide on a Nottingham Forest fans site, it wasn’t because our support is simply immense, but because we had the “best acoustics!”

Or maybe it was the fact that only 17 of their fans actually made any noise. Were they only there to watch the Leeds?

#03 – Clough and Revie deadlocked

Neither the ghost of Brian Clough or Don Revie could claim bragging rights as the battle between their former clubs remained deadlocked. Revie’s fans were sure to inform Clough’s lot that they thought he was a bit of “w**ker”, so at least we can claim victory there!

#04 – Becchio needs a new contract!

Fresh rumours – Betfair, again! – linking Becchio with a £750k move to Celtic had the Leeds fans a little panicked this week as his contract talks remained unresolved. With Darius Vassell being linked as a replacement, Kenneth better start digging deep.

#05 – Grayson bottled defensive decision.

No surprise to see Richard Naylor starting in the centre of defence as Larry bottled it and decided not to hand Alex Bruce his full debut. This risky decision looked like it was going to backfire horribly as Forest cut through our static defence with terrifying ease for twenty minutes. Luckily, they started lumping the ball up at our back line, and we started playing football, allowing us to claim a point.

#06 – You Watt? You Watt?

Stamped on, and investigated? Conspiracy theories abounded – would we be docked points? Would Watt get banned too? In the end Gunter received a fair 3 match ban, and Watt escaped further punishment. Rightly too. Wouldn’t be down to the fact he’s on loan from the Gooners would it? Or maybe, just maybe, we’re not quite as picked on by the Football League as some fans would have you think! Still, with the club potentially facing charges, our dear leader Bates, ever fighting for the Peacock’s cause, says ‘Well fight our corner!’

#07 – Grella is Premier League player…

As long as it’s the Blue Square Premier. He is outstanding at reserve or conference level – last season’s cup exploits when he was our extra time saviour or banging in two midweek for the reserves v Gateshead… but is he up to the rigours of the Championship? Perhaps he should stick to (alleged) online liaisons with strangers.

#08 – Sons of Scum are OK by us!

Kasper Schmeichel is already a fan favourite, after two outstanding displays. His reflexes and distribution have won us all over. That and his lovely blond hair. Alex Bruce seems remarkably popular for a man whose old fella played for that lot and has only made one appearance for us… maybe it’s the fact that he looks like he can run that has swayed the Leeds faithful?

#09 – Are we Arsenal in disguise?

First Sanchez Watt, now Henri Lansbury (allegedly). Does this mean we will start playing scintillating football, entertaining the neutrals, and failing gloriously? As long as we don’t swap Schmeichel for Almunia…

#10 – We don’t spend a huge amount on agents?

Compared to Premiership clubs, or Newcastle, or West Brom. But compared to Dagenham and Redbridge who spent a sum total of zero on fees for these parasites, we spend a fair whack. £335,723 last on agents last year made us the third highest spenders in League One. Seems like we spent less than that on transfer fees…