Daniel James faces being thrown under bus by Jesse Marsch after worrying Leeds United news on Monday
Daniel James seems likely to continue in the striker role after Leeds United teammate Joe Gelhardt suffered an injury on Monday.
While playing for the Under-23s in their 4-0 win over Crystal Palace, 19-year-old Gelhardt was hit by an injury and faces assessment ahead of Leeds’ clash against Watford in the Premier League this weekend.
According to Graham Smyth of the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds feel as though Gelhardt has suffered a dead leg.
However, the fact that he’s suffered a knock means that it’s unlikely he’ll start up front on Saturday [9 April] when Leeds play Watford at Vicarage Road.
And, as a result, it means that James will probably spearhead the attack when the Whites make their way to Hertfordshire this weekend.
Sigh.
James, 24, has had an indifferent debut season at Elland Road.
He’s made 30 appearances in all competitions for the Yorkshire club, scoring four goals and supplying four assists in the process.
It took him a while to start playing well and when he has played well, its usually been when he’s on the left-wing.
When James has been forced to play up front, it hasn’t been great.
According to WhoScored’s match ratings system, James has averaged 6.56 out of 10 for his performances as a striker for Leeds. This is a lower average rating than when he’s played on the left-wing [6.93] and as a left-sided forward [6.86].
James isn’t a striker, yet with Gelhardt and Patrick Bamford injured, it looks as though Jesse Marsch will continue with what Marcelo Bielsa did by throwing the Wales international under the bus.
Rodrigo is there and available – play him up front. And, failing that, stick Sam Greenwood in the number nine position.
We’re sick of seeing round pegs being forced into square holes. It hasn’t worked all season and it won’t work now.
We like James, he’s a great, exciting player to watch.
But when he’s started up front, it’s like he’s being set up to fail.
In other Leeds United news, an agent has jetted in to agree a deal in principle for a major Elland Road transfer.