In terms of forging meaningful relationships between club and fans, repeatedly attempting to gaslight them isn’t a recommended tactic. Leeds United aren’t good at transfer windows. They’re even worse at handling fan expectations during transfer windows.

The toxic trait that Leeds have failed to shake for numerous years is failing to secure key targets in the window, yet still wanting to get the credit for trying. This summer it was Gustavo Hamer and Roland Sallai, but the most extreme example was probably the club’s reverence in its attempt to sign Cody Gakpo in the summer of 2022. The narrative that fans should be excited or appreciative of the club’s ambition to try and sign players of this level falls horrifyingly flat when we’re left kicking our heels and wondering how gaps in the squad are going to be filled.

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