Away from the manager situation, Leeds United fans have been provided with a positive update on Charlie Cresswell, with Gary Rowett telling the South London Press that the centre-back had his best game yet out on loan at the weekend.
Cresswell has had a tough time at the Den. He went five Championship games without making a single appearance for the Lions up until mid-January. And it seemed that he may be on the move before the window closed.
However, Cresswell ended up staying put. And he returned to the starting lineup for the clash with Sunderland at the weekend.
Rowett praises Cresswell after latest display
From a Leeds perspective, the main headline from that game was that Joe Gelhardt made his debut for the Black Cats in the draw. But it seems that Cresswell was the Leeds loanee who stood out in the game.
In fact, Rowett has suggested that the 20-year-old was much improved in the stalemate.
“You’re looking for a young defender like Charlie to learn and adapt their game. Certainly at the weekend he did that – he made many good decisions about when to follow people in, when to go nice and tight and when to drop off and keep his distance,” he told South London Press.
“They are the little learning curves you have to have as a centre-back. We know he is composed and got a really nice range of passing. We know he’s aggressive and is very good in the air, he’s a threat in the other box as well.
“I thought it was as well as he played for us. He showed a level of control and composure on Saturday. I think he came into the Sheffield United game so desperate to do well, sometimes that enthusiasm and desire to do so well can put you in positions you don’t want to get in – because you’re trying to win every tackle. His decision-making was better and when he did need to win tackles, he competed really, really well.”
Hopefully, this proves to be a turning point for Cresswell. It was not too long ago that the defender was being linked with being sold permanently.
Reports from The Sun claimed that Leeds would be tempted by a £4 million offer for the defender amid interest from Middlesbrough.
Of course, his struggles in the Championship are not the best sign. But previously, it seemed inevitable that he would end up in the Leeds first-team. So selling him permanently would have been a real disappointment.
Hopefully, the decision to not cash in proves to be a blessing. Leeds will soon start a new era. And with that, every player on the books will hold out hope of elevating themselves in the pecking order.
If Cresswell can now kick on, his situation could be incredibly different by the time he returns at the end of the season.
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