I played at Old Trafford, Anfield and Goodison Park but hated facing Leeds United at Elland Road
Leeds United’s famous Elland Road atmosphere was on show against Chelsea and Liverpool last week.
Former Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster admits he ‘hated’ facing Leeds United at Elland Road due to the ‘hostile’ atmosphere.
Elland Road was at its fervent best last week as Leeds picked up two massive results in front of their own supporters. The Whites produced their best performance of the season to beat Chelsea 3-1 before twice coming from behind to draw 3-3 against reigning Premier League champions Liverpool on Saturday.
Having gone 2-0 down to Liverpool early in the second-half, Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted a penalty on 73 minutes to make it 2-1 and from that moment, Elland Road was at fever pitch. Anton Stach’s effort and Ao Tanaka’s added-time leveller were both met with huge noise as Arne Slot’s side crumbled under the pressure.
Stach acknowledged the atmosphere in his post-match interview, admitting he still had goosebumps from the noise created inside the ground. And Foster, who has played at the likes of Anfield, Old Trafford and Goodison Park as an opponent, admits the hostility he felt inside Elland Road scared him.
“I hated going there because the atmosphere was scary,” Foster told his Cycling GK podcast. “Honestly, Leeds genuinely was the best atmosphere when they’re popping right, and we played at a time when they were hostile to play.
“I used to just keep looking around, and I’m thinking I’m right close to it, I’m the nearest point. Outfield players can run away at least. I had to stand there and listen to it.”
Leeds began last week in the relegation zone but despite playing two Champions League-level opponents in Chelsea and Liverpool, now find themselves in 16th after two great results. The Whites have leaned heavily on their form at Elland Road to keep them from drifting towards relegation.
Elland Road form crucial to Leeds United Premier League survival
Daniel Farke’s side have taken 12 points from their eight home games, losing just twice against Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa. Alongside Chelsea and Liverpool, other top sides like Newcastle United and Bournemouth have been unable to leave West Yorkshire with a victory.
Leeds have actually taken a whopping 80 per cent of their total points at Elland Road, with weekend opponents Brentford the only team more heavily reliant on their home form. It’s been a different picture altogether on the road, with a 3-1 win at Wolves the sole positive result.
Elland Road will need to maintain that hostility if Leeds are to keep picking up points, with Crystal Palace next up on Saturday December 20. The Eagles have endured a chaotically busy schedule so far and currently have just 15 senior players available, with wing-back Daniel Munoz the latest issue having undergone surgery on a knee injury.
After Palace, Leeds are back on the road at Sunderland and Liverpool before arguably the biggest game of the season at home to Manchester United on January 4. Elland Road will certainly be at its best for that game, with the Whites unable to beat their fierce rivals in any of their three previous seasons in the Premier League.