Jon Newsome has suggested that Daniel James was providing Archie Gray with little support on Leeds United’s right flank during the win over Norwich City on Saturday, claiming that the winger was getting brushed off the ball way too easily.
Newsome was speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after Daniel Farke’s side came from 2-0 down to beat the Canaries 3-2 at Carrow Road.
It was Daniel James who played a key role in the goal which gave Leeds a lifeline. His cross was turned into the Norwich net by Shane Duffy.
But it proved to be a tough time for Leeds down their right flank. Archie Gray‘s inexperience in the right-back role showed at times, including for the second Norwich goal where he got sucked in by Gabriel Sara’s tricky footwork.
Daniel James did not help Archie Gray
However, Newsome has defended the 17-year-old, suggesting that some of his better work was coming to nothing because of James struggling to retain possession.
“I think we highlighted it on the commentary. A couple of times, Daniel James wasn’t helping Archie Gray out at all,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.
“Archie was feeding him decent balls. Pass appreciation is a big thing. Appreciate the guy that’s receiving. He was giving him a nice-weighted pass onto the right side. And the full-back was just brushing him aside and winning the ball back. And he wasn’t strong enough.”
Both Leeds players entitled to an off day
Daniel James has won a lot of admirers with the way he has got his head down to help the team this season. It was not pleasant to see him seemingly pushed out the door on the final day of the summer window last year.
And having helped Fulham stay up, he would have been forgiven for wanting to join the raft of players who seemingly could not wait to jump ship this past summer.
But he is on course to have his best season yet for Leeds. He has four assists, while that should really be five after the win yesterday.
Meanwhile, Archie Gray deserves enormous praise for the way he has taken on the right-back role. It was not his best showing on Saturday. But the potential is absolutely clear to see.
And it is huge that Leeds are picking up victories even while some way off being at their best.
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