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Tweeting On Together- Is Social Media harming Leeds?

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The joys of Social Media and t’internet. Whether it be Phil Hay’s transfer updates or the latest Youth Team goals, your average Joe now has a vast array of Leeds-flavoured info at his fingertips- but is this a good thing? The dire defeat to Mansfield prompted the latest onslaught of keyboard-criticism, and poor old Dom Matteo is licking his wounds after being hung out to dry by the Daily Terror. I pose the question- Is the accessible and widespread nature of social media harming our club?

Social Media is absolutely everywhere. If you scour the endless Leeds-related Twitter pages you’ll be sure to learn of a new turn in the transfer market, discover an insightful article, or find out how the Under 7’s got on in the Thomas The Tank Engine trophy. Gone have the days when your only chance for a spot of debate and banter was down the pub on Matchday- this is Leeds United in a digital age.

Nevertheless, recent events such as the Matteo mini-saga could call the instant and widespread nature of social media into question. We’ve just lost our best player, but would Ross have been more likely to stay had he not received a volley of abuse and criticism from the hoards of Twitterites? You could say that it is our right to be able to have our say, and that Ross should have been prepared for public opinion. Whilst this could be true, do these mediums prompt us to post our thoughts too quickly – especially when the root of the issue may be based on rumour rather than the definitive truth? Obviously the exit of Ross was down to a number of different factors, but we could consider the power of our actions before typing away without a second thought. Take Steve Morison as another example- different fans with different views have claimed that Morison didn’t/didn’t say this and that to fans at Guiseley, yet some of us choose to deliver our verdict at breakneck speed.

Footballers are only human after all. Abuse has forced the likes of Jason Pearce and McCormack to delete their Twitter accounts in the past, and Davide Somma was chastised by the club for ‘breaking guidelines’ a few years ago when he tweeted details of a knee injury (sigh). If Leeds players were banned from Twitter ala Grayson, would this be better for the health of our club?

We could consider our actions towards each other too; negative posts directed at other Leeds fans and posters are rife on our Facebook pages – should we take a long, hard look at how we use Social media and our attitudes to players and fellow fans? Social Media is here to stay, and quite rightly. The sheer volume of information and functions available may be a breath of fresh air compared to the days of Teletext, but perhaps we need to be think about the bigger picture before we press send.

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  • keeefflywhite says:

    Social Media can be harmful in general, not just to our club. As with anything, people are more likely to complain or moan than give praise or compliment. Now, social media can be targeted at a person. Rather than venting on a message board somewhere, rants are sent directly to an individual. And there is no censorship.
    But, as you say, it’s here to stay. So people (inc. footballers) need to develop a thick skin if they want to have a twitter etc presence and realise that for every negative tweet, there are generally many more positive thinkers in the silent majority.

  • PAUL W says:

    The players are earning more than enough and should be made to make a few sacrifices, like not using Twitter and Facebook, which in my view exposes their privacy to any person, good and bad.
    Phil Hay’s twitter account is fantastic and seems to be the only up-to-date information on what is happening at Leeds these days, with the official Leeds website giving out information at a painfully slow snail pace.
    The past week has been another wasted week in the transfer market for Leeds, with this unknown Italian player not signing and that unknown Italian not signing for the club
    Why is Cellino not strengthening the key positions, such as the central defence, wide midfield and most of all, the striking position, with an experienced Championship striker to replace McCormack ?
    Leeds will be soft touch next season with half a team of foreign players and you have to feel that Dave Hockaday will be lucky to last August as Leeds coach, with experienced Championship players not being signed.

    • Bailey says:

      I agree with Paul. I feel like the players, especially Leeds players need to focus on football not updating their “statuses”. Cellino is trying to keep costs low but this team still needs serious help. (Even if we have to rent Elland Road for one more season) It needs leaders and Generals at key positions and honestly, more players need to exit as well. Leeds needs higher quality than Serie B or Ligue 2 level players… And I don’t mean going to nearly relegated EPL teams and asking for their 30 year old + players either. We need younger players who WANT TO WIN. I really hope Hockaday has “laid down the law” after the Mansfield match. Our pre-season was awful with McDermott as well and look what happened there in less than 6 months. I would expect nothing less than a 3-0 win against Chesterfield with the supposed “strongest” side we have. If not, then people need to go and be replaced.

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