Former Leeds United midfielder Olivier Dacourt has been speaking to bookmake Bwin about the team he lined up for 82 times between 2000 and 2003, and believes that they belong in the Premier League and have “extraordinary public potential”.
The Frenchman joined the Yorkshire outfit from Lens at the start of the Millennium and he famously helped them reach the semi-finals of the Champions League in his first season at Elland Road.
Things have changed a lot since that achievement though, and the Whites are now in the Championship and facing a fight to be involved in the promotion race at the end of the campaign once again as they currently lie in 11th position in the standings – eight points adrift of the play-off positions.
New manager Paul Heckingbottom lost his first match in charge 2-1 against Sheffield United on Saturday, and he will be hoping to turn their fortunes around in the remaining 15 games of the season.
Speaking to Bwin, Dacourt said: “There is an extraordinary public potential in Yorkshire. And Leeds should be among the clubs that count in the Premier League. It’s a big club! Elland Road is really the 12th man.”
Leeds play host to Bristol City in a crucial Championship clash at home on Sunday, and with the Robins currently in sixth position it gives the hosts the perfect chance to close the gap on the top six.
