With the pressure on Daniel Farke set to grow over the next few weeks at Leeds United, there is more and more momentum and calls for Harry Gray to be given a chance in the side.
Last week, Gray’s brace against Accrington Stanley for the U21 side took the 17-year-old’s tally to 10 for the second string. But the youngster is yet to make a second senior outing since his debut last season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has managed one goal this season, while Lukas Nmecha has two. With Leeds in poor form and the club managing just nine goals in 11 Premier League games, fans want Gray to play.
Yet, reports emerged over the weekend that Gray could leave Leeds on loan in January, with four clubs interested in luring Gray to the Championship. Swansea, Derby, Charlton and Joe Gelhardt’s Hull City.
Leeds fans worried by reports Harry Gray could leave in January
Had Leeds scored a hatful of goals and been in a safe position in the Premier League, calls for Gray to be rushed into the starting XI under Farke might not have been so glaring. But fans want minutes for Gray.
The reaction to reports that Gray could be allowed to go on loan in January has stirred concern and raised question marks on social media. Fans cannot believe he would be allowed to leave Leeds temporarily.
While it would make sense if Leeds were safe and scoring goals, sanctioning a loan for Gray would see fans question Adam Underwood and Farke further, with both under intense pressure from supporters.
One said, “you dare”, to Leeds when presented with the reports. Another made the point clear that Gray “needs game time with us, not going out on loan”. One fan even thinks Gray is “wasted” at the moment.
The reports have prompted quite a response from Leeds fans. “Don’t want loans” was another’s verdict on the possibility of Gray going on loan, while others said “hope this is not true” and that they are “worried”.
Daniel Farke believes he is the right man for Harry Gray
Age is just a number, or so Farke has made clear throughout his managerial career. If a player is good enough, then they are old enough. But Farke is yet to hand any game time to any youngsters this season.
To be fair to Farke, it is difficult at the moment with every kick of the ball crucial in keeping Leeds in the Premier League. Relegation would be a mess and Leeds need players they can trust, no risks can be taken.
But when he was asked about Gray’s game time recently, Farke reminded reporters of his track record with young players. Naming Harry’s older brother Archie, Farke said that he is the perfect man for Gray.
“If I were to back a manager to be brave enough to play a young player, to know what a young player needs, I’d pick me. Harry needs to train with the first team, experience physicality of the Premier League.”
If Farke is to save his job in the short term, and keep Leeds in the Premier League in the long term, he needs to appease an angry fanbase. Loaning Gray out will do him no favours come the January window.
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