Noel Whelan believes the return of fans will have a huge impact on Leeds United next season.
The Whites fans missed 18 of the 19 homes games last season but were allowed back in Elland Road in limited numbers for the final home game of the season against West Brom.
The former Leeds striker believes Marcelo Bielsa’s will benefit more than others after fans were given the go ahead to return to football grounds across the country.
When asked about the return of fans, Whelan told Football Insider: “A huge impact, Elland Road will be a fortress next season with the fans back in.
“If you ask any opposition player if he enjoys going to Elland Road he will say yes, in the sense that the atmosphere is amazing but at the same time no, because it is very intimidating place to be as an opposition player.
“The fans are so loud, so vocal and so passionate. It is one hell of a place to be when it is full and it will be a daunting place for teams who are not used to that next season.
"We want to make it a difficult place for other teams to come and the fans will enable us to do that.
"Leeds have some of the best fans in the world. They will travel all over to follow us.
“There is a lot of excitement about this season and the return of fans is a huge reason for that.”
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