Got to say I was surprised by the total lack of atmosphere at the game last night, talk about a library. Normally the atmosphere suffers when London roll into town with their poor team and no support, but last night felt more like a pre season run out than the first home game of the season. We could hear every word coming from the Widnes fans from our seats in the North Stand. Is it the demographic being attracted to rugby league nowadays, more women and children, heavily discounted family tickets where parents just come along to keep an eye on the kids munching their way through packets of crisps and star bursts. I hope it isn't a sign of things to come because it was dire from the terraces last night.

It sounded ok from where I was stood in the Southstand...

From my seat in the Carnegie stand I thought it was all very low key.
Totally in keeping with the largely forgettable quality of the play for the first hour.
As the team improved so did the atmosphere.
Till then the most exciting thing was the speculation as to whether Yates would ever come on to make his debut.

^ this.

Completely agree. We were surrounded by people who were like corpses. Hopefully, like the performances on the pitch, it'll improve as we go on

There were people around me (generally groups of men) there seemingly just to have a chat and a beer and not actually watching the rugby itself. Plus pockets of students doing similarly. Then some of the more 'old timers' that have stood close by since I started going seemed to be there with new people - partners and family members - rather than their usual south stand buddies.

This different / new crowd dynamic plus 'old timers' more interested in 'catching up' rather than '100% rugby focused' might have played a part. Can't remember who we played at home first last year but Widnes are possibly one of the most apathy-inspiring teams as a Rhino fan this year. I suspect had it have been Hudds or Wolves there would have been much less polite chit-chat and more foaming at the mouth and focus on the rugby.

Finally, the first half performance did nothing to inspire the crowd to focus more on the action on the pitch.

Next home game should be interesting, it's vs Hudds and on a Thursday so probably effect the number but without sounding cliché then this has already turned into a key game. Too often people complained about walking away from Headingley not bothered that we just won/lost as it meant little in the grand scheme of the season. Well at the start of the season Hudds were one of the teams who could see us miss out on a top 4 spot, however we have 4 points already to there 0. A win against them would feel like we've really opened up some daylight between ourselves and a playoff rival....lose and it'll feel like a real missed oppotunity.

Huddersfield without a win and they do a number on us in recent seasons this game should make people sit up and pay attention surely

Another reason that could be for the lack of atmosphere is losing 5 super league and the play off knock out game will make the crowd a bit tentative (I am not including the challenge cup matches but they were not at HQ). 3 of these at home will not help. But I believe if Leeds carry on this form then it will be a lot better and back to normal

Every minutes really does matter to some. Couldn't believe with 20 secs left and losing 38-6, the Widnes players ran to form a scrum on their own 30m to stop the clock.

The new walk on before kick off manages to kill the atmosphere quite nicely. Not keen at all. Not that it explains the atmosphere for the rest of the game but its certainly a low key way to start.

Agree. Don't think it helped that they came out straight after opera man so there was no build up.
But I don't like the coming out together and lining up thing. It's unnecessary. Just get out and get on with it. We're not football.

Not keen on the new walk-on either. My sister thought there was going to be a minutes silence, which kind of tells it's own story. Much better when the away team runs on first followed by Leeds.

Yeah I agree. I recall them doing it at Peacock's testimonial but thought it was just because of that/his occasion. When they lined up I thought it was for a certain reason. Doubt it'll last though too much longer, maybe for the Sky games.

Me too. I muted my phone in anticipation. Then forgot to un-mute it afterwards. Missed lots of calls and texts in the last two days before I realised.

I went home at HT.

Were you given a lift home by some of Widnes's defensive line?

Did anyone else notice a lot of new people at the game?
As a creature of habit I stand in the same place as do many many around me. Yet Friday night I saw a lot of new people and they were very quiet.

To be clear, having new fans is fantastic and great for growth but if replicated around the ground could explain a dip in atmosphere.

That said, a poor opponent, bad weather and a shockingly bad first 50 minutes also explains a lot.

What about the fireworks machines? Forgot about those! Would you rather some slightly underwhelming fireworks before each home game this season, or an extra new signing in / around the squad?

I blame the drummer and the band.

Because the reason we don't make marquee signings is because the fireworks budget is too big

Well no, I understand that the 'fireworks' and 'player signing' budgets are not specifically linked but was imagining some people who have been clamouring for extra recruits might have got a bit het up seeing unnecessary fireworks pre-game and only one person having been brought on through the summer.

I find the whole 'fireworks before' and 'music after scoring' thing a bit unnecessary anyway - I don't need some fireworks to help me feel excited, or a song to help me to celebrate - I do that spontaneously when the mood takes me.

Take your point but all the fireworks and other fanfare is to stimulate interest in kids - our future fans, if you will. Irritating, yes, but rather that than the possible alternative, i.e. youngsters too cold and bored to want to return.

In fairness I didn't think about it from a kid's perspective - good point. In response though, I would say that what happens on the pitch probably should keep the kids interested / wanting to go back most.

I went to watch the Bradford City game with a Leeds fan yesterday - we noticed there were lots of kids / young people there and Bradford's brilliant performance and show of effort would (I imagine) be enough to see many go back again in the future.

I know those circumstances are slightly different, but I imagine (rightly or wrongly) efforts like yesterday (and past cup games over the last couple of years) will probably have won over loads of those 'impressionable' kids and I applaud Bradford on it.

I will probably be going back to watch them in the coming weeks and months because it was a breath of fresh air!

I think Leeds have usually got the pre match balance between entertaining younger fans and not shoving a low quality pre match show in your face (Bradford style) just about right. They are currently making huge efforts to engage youngers fans and having player escorts to walk onto the pitch and line up with the squads is one way of doing this. If 1 child out of 34 for each match become a lifelong rugby league fan then I'd say it's served a purpose. I too thought there was going to be a minutes silence on Friday but we'll soon get used to it. Marching on Together was still being played as the line up finished so it's not like there was a period of silence or anything. Obviously some people are upset they don't get to chant 'Who are you?' at the opposition players as they run out.

As for fireworks, I doubt we'll see them every week but I wouldn't be worried if we did. I think Leeds' pre match stuff is usually pretty high quality (compared to most) and should be celebrated.

The atmosphere wasn't great on Friday but it wasn't dreadful either. What the game lacked was any kind of controversy to wind up the crowd. It was a pretty easy game to ref but I thought Hicks did a decent job - never thought I'd say that!