Leeds United’s nightmare relationship with the play-offs continued when they were beaten by Southampton in the Championship play-off final on Sunday at Wembley.
Thousands upon thousands of Leeds fans descended to the capital hoping for history to be wiped out and not repeat itself.
But it wasn’t meant to be for Daniel Farke and his players because, for the fourth time in their history, Leeds were beaten in a play-off final at Wembley or The Millennium Stadium.
For a lot of fans, it was hard to take, not just because they were beaten in another play-off final or they were going to spend another season in England’s second tier.
But because the majority of their players, bar Dan James, didn’t turn up and that’s what will hurt more.
When the final whistle blew, you could understand the elation and joy in the eyes of the Southampton players because they celebrated like every team would do in their situation, even Harry Maguire rubbed salt into the wounds.
But many of the Leeds players had their heads down and looked utterly distraught because a 49-game season has now ended with virtually nothing.
Troy Deeney was pitchside at Wembley and he simply didn’t like what he saw from some of the Leeds players after the full-time whistle.
The former striker, who has won promotion to the Premier League with Watford, slammed ‘four or five players’ for ‘laughing and joking’ when the game had finished, as he told Sky Sports Football (26/05/24 at 5:50 pm).
Deeney wasn’t shy to point out his own troubles at the home of football and losing 6-0 to Manchester City in an FA Cup final, so he is someone who can speak from experience.
Leeds United players at Wembley
“When I look at Leeds, the last month flattered to deceive where you want your big players, your leaders to step up and they went missing,” said Deeney.
“I am not going to name names, but you are standing and you can see how people react after. I have lost here (at Wembley) 6-0 to Manchester City. That was a drubbing. You have got to stand there, in a line, clap your opponents, well done and the better team won. Show a bit of humility and respect.
“Four or five of them over the other side laughing and joking.”
Recovering from another play-off final defeat
Under Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds also lost a play-off – semi-final against Derby County – before going on to win the title the following season.
When Farke won promotion with Norwich, he did so in his second season.
READ MORE: Troy Deeney says Leeds United star ‘best player on the pitch’ during play-off final defeat
Many would point towards that as a good omen for the club, but you feel these are different circumstances.
In comparison to those teams, there is probably going to be more of a clearout this summer, with big players leaving and it will make Farke’s life more difficult.
That’s why it’s paramount the club keep him at the club because it wouldn’t be a surprise if, on top of Crysencio Summerville, more than a few players departed.
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