Dan James is in superb form and enjoyed a wonderful afternoon on Monday as Leeds United cruised to a 3-0 win over Birmingham City – with Daniel Farke naming a new-look front four for the match.
James, 26, took his tally to 13 goal involvements for the season on Monday as Leeds brushed the Blues aside. A goal and an assist for the winger, supplying the cross for Patrick Bamford to open the scoring.
The Wales star then scored, finishing via a slight deflection after a neat cut-back from Junior Firpo. The latter did the same for Crysencio Summerville to make it 3-0. It comes after Farke made a few changes.
Joel Piroe was dropped for £10m man Bamford, who had failed to score or start this season for Leeds. His last goal coming in the 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth, which also saw Javi Gracia sacked by Leeds.
Speaking about Bamford to LUTV after Monday’s 3-0 win, James was asked by Michael Bridges if he felt playing with Bamford helped him – and James agreed. He said that Bamford is always on at him.
“I think so, yeah”, James responded, when asked if Bamford makes more space for him. “I like to cross the ball. Pat is always going to make the run. He always tell me, he’s very clever with it,” James said.
“And he always stretches the game. Makes it hard even when teams are playing five at the back, he stretches them, gives space to the 10’s. Georgie was brilliant. Creates space, that’s what we want.”
Dan James says Leeds’ Patrick Bamford helps get best out of him
James is not the only person to have praised Bamford since his goal. Wayne Rooney was full of praise for his predatory instinct in and around the six-yard box. Daniel Farke says Bamford won back his trust.
Bamford may get a second successive start against League One high-flyers Peterborough United on Sunday in the third round of The FA Cup. But it remains to be seen if he will now overtake Joel Piroe.
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