BBC pundit issues verdict on Dan James after Leeds loss at Birmingham

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Neil Redfearn has criticised Dan James for the lack of quality he provides in the final third after Leeds United were beaten by Birmingham City on Saturday.

Redfearn was speaking on BBC Radio Leeds after Daniel Farke tasted defeat for the first time as Leeds boss, with a late penalty settling the game at St Andrew’s.

It was just one of those days where it never felt like Leeds were going to win. Certainly, the concern set in the moment the lineup was announced with Dan James playing alongside Joe Gelhardt, Ian Poveda and Jamie Shackleton in the front four.

James was the only survivor from the quartet which started against Cardiff on the opening day. And he had arguably been the most underwhelming of the four on that occasion – though he did come agonisingly close to scoring in the second-half.

Dan James criticised after Leeds loss at Birmingham

Ultimately, the new-look attack did Leeds few favours. The Whites struggled to lay a glove on the home side. Of course, no-one will be particularly happy with their performances.

But James is someone who arrived for big money with bags of experience in the Premier League. And yet, he has not been able to make a significant impact so far this term.

Certainly, Redfearn was not overly impressed by his showing on Saturday.

“James was a little bit better. But there’s nothing at the end of it,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “If you’re going to be an attacking player, there’s got to be something at the end of it: shot, cross, there’s got to be quality. If you’re going to shoot, you’ve got to make the keeper work.

“If there’s a cross you’ve got to pick people out. And I don’t see that from him.”

Obviously, James had no say in the asking price which took him to Leeds. And he deserves a lot of credit for getting on with playing for the club again after being moved out on loan last year.

There were glimpses against Cardiff. But he has four goals and five assists in more than 40 games for Leeds. That is not good enough at this stage.

There needs to be some big changes in the last few weeks of the transfer window. And hopefully Leeds will soon look a lot stronger in a number of positions – including in attack.