Premier League hope-o-meter: Leeds dream big, Liverpool the least happy of the optimists | OneFootball

Leeds United top this season’s Premier League hope-o-meter, with 99 per cent of respondents upbeat about Daniel Farke’s side, while Liverpool are the least happy of the optimists. Across the league, supporter sentiment is strikingly buoyant.

According to NY Times, the top-15 clubs all register at least 82 per cent optimism, an unprecedented level for the survey. Nine teams also start with new permanent managers, a record that may be feeding the mood.

Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur trail Leeds in the hope stakes. Liverpool sit bottom of the table, with Fulham, Everton and Newcastle United closest to them.

A year ago only nine fanbases reached 80 per cent or more, and the bottom end was bleak. After Alexander Isak’s contentious exit to Liverpool, Newcastle recorded 19 per cent optimism, with Wolverhampton Wanderers on 32 and West Ham United 39. The season proved unforgiving, as Newcastle slogged to 12th while Wolves and West Ham were relegated.

In previous editions, outright despair was common. Three years back, West Ham were at eight per cent, Sheffield United 17 and Everton 26, and the year before Bournemouth propped up the list on 27. This time, every club’s fans are net positive.

Leeds’ glee reflects a busy window, including a £40million outlay on a goalkeeper and arrivals such as James Trafford. Elsewhere, Sunderland ride genuine momentum after last season’s surge to Europe and two derby wins, while Tottenham steadied under Roberto De Zerbi. Liverpool supporters, meanwhile, voice faith in Andoni Iraola but fret about squad balance.

Source: NY Times

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”