Neil Redfearn has admitted that Saturday’s clash with Birmingham City was a game too far for Archie Gray as Leeds United suffered their first defeat of the season.
Redfearn was speaking to BBC Radio Leeds as Daniel Farke’s side were beaten 1-0 by the Blues at St Andrew’s. A late Lukas Jutkiewicz penalty settled a game lacking any sort of real quality.
Leeds, of course, went into the game with all sorts of things going on in the background. The problems Farke is dealing with were made abundantly clear by the Whites boss not naming a full bench – as well as two goalkeepers on that bench.
Archie Gray struggles as Leeds suffer first loss of the season
The issues meant that Archie Gray got to make another start. The 17-year-old shone on his league debut against Cardiff. And the signs suggest that he could form a really impressive partnership with Ethan Ampadu.
Redfearn praised Ampadu after the underwhelming performance in the Midlands. But he did suggest that Gray did have a tougher time in the loss.
“I never thought Leeds looked right in midfield, if I’m honest, apart from Ampadu. I thought Ampadu played well. But he did the defensive stuff quite well. I thought it was probably a game too far for Archie Gray today,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.
“He weren’t in it much. It was quite physical. He had moments where he did some really good things. But we’re asking a lot if we’re expecting a 17-year-old to win us the game.”
Obviously, no-one is blaming Gray for the loss on Saturday. In fact, it would incredibly unfair to be too harsh on Daniel Farke. He is not blameless. But there is only so much he can do with the resources available to him right now.
Unfortunately, Leeds do not have the options right now to really take Gray out of the firing line. The good news is that the fans are always going to get behind the teenager because he is an outstanding talent with an amazing future ahead of him.
You would like to think that the loss to Birmingham can be used positively. If there is no money to spend right now, players need to be moved out the door as soon as possible.
Otherwise, it could be yet another very long season for Leeds.
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