"Little bit nervous" - Alan Smith drops Elland Road claim as Leeds United eye promotion | OneFootball

The Whites currently lead the way in the second tier as they close in on a return to the Premier League

Former Leeds United forward Alan Smith believes the Elland Road faithful can play a massive part in getting their side over the line as they hunt for a return to the Premier League, and need to avoid letting their nervousness effect the side.

The Whites are currently top of the second tier with a three-point lead on second-placed Sheffield United right now, with Burnley the nearest challengers for the automatic promotion spots some eight points off, albeit with a game in hand.

With eleven games of the season left, United just need to keep on as they have been doing to get themselves over the line in the next couple of months, although Smith believes that will be easier said than done as things start to tighten up during the run-in.

Having been unable to be present due to Covid the last time they reached the promised land, the Yorkshire side’s supporters will be relishing the chance to be part of the celebrations if they do get the job done, as they seek a return to the top flight after two seasons away.

Alan Smith stance on Elland Road fanbase and Leeds United close in on promotion

Saturday’s 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion marked just the fourth time that Leeds had dropped points in front of their own fans all season, with Blackburn Rovers the last team to stop them picking up all three points at Elland Road on New Year’s Day.

Scott Parker’s Burnley are the only side to come away with a victory from LS11 this season, while eleven teams have failed to get on the scoresheet, such has been Daniel Farke’s side’s dominance on their own patch.

While there is no question the Leeds fanbase can prove an intimidating factor when clubs make the trip to Yorkshire in the second tier, Smith is conscious of the way the tables can turn when it gets to the crucial part of the season, with thoughts turning towards the end goal of Premier League football, and their struggles in the past to get the job done.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World via Goplay Wille P, Smith said: “It can work both ways as they’re the most passionate supporters.

“The home crowd can get a little bit nervous because the prize is so great, and people feel it when you start to get closer to the end of the season.

“The last time we went up was during Covid, with no fans, and it was probably a little bit easier that way. I would love them to get promoted with a full stadium because that’s the pinnacle for those supporters, getting into the Premier League.”

Leeds United fanbase will not be able to rest after 2018/19 collapse

While to many they may already seem home and hosed in the hunt for Premier League football, there won’t be many at Elland Road that are counting their chickens at this point in the season.

United fans know all too well the feeling of throwing away promotion after seemingly having it within their grasp, with the 2018/19 season ultimately ending in disappointment after such a promising campaign under Marcelo Bielsa [pictured].

That time around, the Whites still looked like earning a place in the top two of the division with four matches of the season remaining, before a return of one point from a possible 12 saw them drop into the play-off spots, with Sheffield United taking their place.

After such a strong campaign, Leeds were then undone in the play-off semi-finals as Derby County rallied late in the second leg to turn things around away from home, leaving Leeds facing another season in the second tier when promotion seemed inevitable for much of the season.

With that in mind, there won’t be anyone celebrating promotion until all is said and done this time around, with Smith only too aware of how nervy the whole fanbase will be until all is said and done later in the campaign.