Micah Richards has stated that Leeds United fans at Elland Road are ‘one of the best’ around, as he told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.
The former right-back added that the difference between Leeds fans and the Everton supporters at Goodison Park is ‘belief’.
Both Leeds and Everton are battling near the bottom of the Premier League table after a woeful campaign in England’s top-flight.
The duo sacked their previous managers – Marcelo Bielsa and Rafa Benitez – with it being obvious that one was more popular than the other.
Over the weekend, Jesse Marsch picked up his first win as boss when Joe Gelhardt came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner against Norwich City.
Whereas, for Frank Lampard, it was another defeat, this time to Wolves, as Richards shared his thoughts on both struggling clubs.
“Don’t forget, Leeds have just got a new manager,” said Richards. “Yes, they have lost a couple of games. They were unlucky when they lost their first one 1-0.
“You got young Gelhardt who comes in and scores the winning goal. Leeds fans, regardless of where they have been, if you have seen them during the last 16-17 years and they have come up.
“Even their expectation is lower at Everton. Even if it’s a massive club – if you go to Elland Road, regardless of the result, it’s always been rocking. Even when Leeds went down to League One, I went to a game and there were 30,000 people in the stadium. Leeds support is one of the best out there. No matter till the end, Leeds support will be there home and away
“When you are asking me the difference (between Leeds and Everton fans). I think Leeds is always like that, regardless. Yes, towards the end of Bielsa there was some groaning. But not the majority.
“That comes down to expectations. I think that’s the difference with Everton, it’s just that belief. Now, Everton are going into a game and you don’t know what’s going to happen.”
During the Toffees’ last 20 Premier League matches, they have only picked up nine points.
That’s a staggeringly low number and one that screams ‘come relegate me now’ and that’s what Lampard has to change.
But it’s no surprise that the mood around the blue half of Merseyside is a little frosty, added with anger, because the fans have watched dross for far too long.
Both Leeds and Everton are huge clubs and it would be a crying shame if either dropped into England’s second-tier, but these next few months are going to be nerve-racking for all.
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