BBC pundit reacts to Jack Harrison display in Leeds loss at Chelsea

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Jon Newsome has told BBC Radio Leeds that Jack Harrison is a lot better than he has been in recent weeks, and suggested that he may need to be taken out of the Leeds United starting lineup for a little while after his display at Chelsea.

Harrison was one of several players who were not at the races at Stamford Bridge. Leeds struggled to lay a glove on the Blues, who have been woeful themselves for some time.

The 26-year-old has had a frustrating campaign. Of course, he started the season brilliantly, providing three assists and scoring one goal in the first three games.

Newsome critical of Jack Harrison display in Leeds loss

However, since then, it has been much more of a struggle for the winger. And he looks to be a player playing with very little confidence right now.

Obviously, Harrison is one of the players within the squad with more ability than most. But Newsome believes that he may actually benefit from a rest following his underwhelming showing against Graham Potter’s side.

“I thought he was sub-par,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.

“You can see his frustration in his body language, he’s annoyed with himself. But it’s just not clicking for him. And it’s not clicking by a long stretch. Little simple five yard passes. Little interchanges. Running up alleys.

“All little things you look at and go: ‘you should be better, you are better than that, Jack’. And they’re just not working. Maybe it’s the time to just give him a rest for a couple of weeks and let somebody else have a go.”

Harrison’s form was a key reason Leeds stayed in the Premier League last season. He was still struggling for consistency. But he managed eight goals in the top-flight, with many of them proving to be extremely significant.

This time around, he only has one goal to his name. Admittedly, he has provided five assists. But he will be extremely disappointed with his tally in front of goal.

The problem for Javi Gracia is that there is not an obvious replacement right now. Willy Gnonto has found the going tougher in recent weeks. And Crysencio Summerville is still a raw talent despite probably being our most exciting attacker in the last few games.

Dropping Harrison would be a big call given what he can do when he is on form. But he can have few complaints if he does indeed find himself out of the side against Brighton.