As Leeds United appear to be on the cusp of a return to the Premier League, journalist Adam Pope joined Off The Ball to assess how successful return it is likely to be.
With three games in the Championship season, Leeds United require a maximum of four points to end a 16-year absence from the Premier League.
One of English football's most successful and storied clubs, Adam Pope, a Leeds-based football journalist with the BBC, believes there will be plenty of fans from across the Premier League delighted to see the club return.
"If they get this over the line," he said of the club's final few games, "Leeds United is ready to explode.
"With all the swagger, all the 'Nobody likes us, we don't care' attitude, if they get back to the Premier League, let's face it, the others might not like them but they do want them there."
Leeds United's Liam Cooper (centre) celebrates with teammates.Given the manner of Leeds United's rapid capitulation which ultimately led to their relegation from the Premier League in 2004, Pope addressed how the club's financial outlook has changed since those days.
"Their finances, in terms of Financial Fair Play, are right on the cusp," he explained, "but they've handled it quite well.
"To give you an example, the club is still losing money so [Andrea] Radrizzani, the club's owner, still has to write cheques to account for the losses.
"The wage bill has gone up massively from [Massimo] Cellino's days to about £40 million which is where they felt it had to be if they wanted to compete at the top end of the championship.
"However, if they go up with the revenues that come from broadcast rights and the like, it will soon see them turning a profit. They are a pretty clean club compared to where they were the last time they were in the Premier League."
Across the myriad reasons for the Yorkshire club's success, the presence of Argentine head coach Marcelo Bielsa has been recognised as a crucial component in their progression.
The source of great joy for the club's fans both afar and living within the city, Pope considered what Bielsa has done for Leeds and how he's likely to fare under the increased media scrutiny of the Premier League.
"He has reengaged the city," explained Pope of Bielsa's impact, "and he is just absolutely adored and revered. He's just been carrying on in his own humble way this season and has continued to conduct himself with utter class.
"His relationship with the fans and public is incredible and his relationship with the media here in Leeds is well-documented. I love his transparency.
"You can ask him anything at all about football and he will talk to you without making you feel like you've no idea what you're talking about.
"What he doesn't like are questions that come looking for a divisive response. He doesn't like these contentious, abrasive angles. That is probably going to come a lot more in the Premier League and given that it is Leeds United, however.
"So, we have to enjoy every minute he is here because I'll be honest, it is always in the back of my mind. I mean, he left Lazio after only a few days."
You can watch back Adam Pope's assessment of Leeds United and Marcelo Bielsa here.
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