Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole believe Leeds United can kick on even further in the Premier League once their fans are back at matches.
Supporters across the country have had to watch from afar as games have been played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
For the Leeds faithful, it has meant a socially distanced promotion celebration after Marcelo Bielsa led the team to promotion from the Championship last season.
And while they will have enjoyed the Whites' highly promising first season back in the top flight, that will be tinged with disappointment that they have not been able to show their support in the flesh.
It is hoped that fans will be allowed back into stadiums before too long - and Leeds are being tipped to benefit from that, particularly at Elland Road.
Leeds are 11th in the table with 36 points from their 28 league games so far.
Saturday's goalless draw at home to Chelsea left them 10 points clear of the relegation zone, with 10 matches left to play.
They look to be on course for another year in the Premier League, and former Chelsea ace Cole told BT Sport: "With the crowd by in. that's another five, six, seven points on the total."
Former Leeds and Manchester United star Ferdinand added: "I think the Leeds fans would love to be here and witness his (Bielsa's) energy on the touchline and his team's energy and what they bring to games.
"When I spoke to Patrick Bamford this week, one of the things he spoke about was the difference that the fans would have made here.
"There were games he was even picking out, the 0-0 draw here with Arsenal. He was saying: 'We probably would have won that game, they would have got us over the line'. They would get that extra bit out of them as a collective and individuals.
"The team, playing with the fans here, will be an absolutely different proposition next season."
