Jon Newsome has admitted that he is not sure that Daniel Farke did Archie Gray any favours at all during Leeds United’s loss at Preston North End on Boxing Day.
Archie Gray once again started at right-back for the trip to Deepdale. Of course, Leeds were looking to build on their performance of the season so far, having dismantled Ipswich Town 4-0 at the weekend.
Unfortunately, the Whites were incredibly poor against Preston. A late goal from Liam Millar settled the game.
Millar’s finish was a moment of brilliance from the winger. But it did appear that he found it too easy to come inside, with Gray the player he beat to create that yard of space inside the penalty area.
Gray has been absolutely outstanding throughout the season. It is remarkable how well the 17-year-old has played at right-back considering he went into the campaign awaiting his first-team debut.
Jon Newsome surprised Leeds boss didn’t replace Archie Gray
But Tuesday brought many of us back down to earth. Gray won just two of the five challenges he attempted, according to Whoscored. And only one player was dispossessed more than the teenager.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Newsome conceded that Gray struggled. However, he put much of the blame on Daniel Farke for not making a change sooner.
“He did have a tough afternoon, but he had a tough afternoon because he was playing against the best player on the pitch for the opposition, who was lively, who was full of spirit, full of confidence,” he said.
“I spoke to Tony Dorigo at half-time, we were having a bit of a chat and Tony was in agreement, he said that it was the Archie Gray at right-back at the beginning of the season. He’s come on leaps and bounds and he’s progressed and he’s improved. But that was a real test for him today, real, real test for him today. It’s the first one I think he’s lost.
“I was surprised, I thought at half-time they might have said, you know what, have a rest. Get some energy back in your legs. Mentally, it’s hard for you. Especially as a young lad, he’s a young, young boy. He’s a young man. I’m surprised he didn’t make that change earlier, I really am.
“As we say, he’s not had his best day today. He’s up against a tough opponent and I did feel that at half-time, it should have been changed. I don’t think the manager’s done him any favours whatsoever in all honesty,” he went on to add.
Daniel Farke has to be more proactive with his changes
Admittedly, Leeds have had injury issues at full-back, with both Junior Firpo and Sam Byram both spending time on the sidelines with injury.
However, both players were on the bench on Boxing Day. And while Farke may be being cautious with the pair, it makes little sense to have them both in the squad if he would ideally prefer to use neither.
Bringing Firpo or Byram on and allowing Djed Spence to move across to his natural position may have boosted Leeds’ chances of getting away from Deepdale with a result they really did not deserve.
Once again, Farke’s decision-making when it comes to his substitutions is under the microscope.
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