Jesse Marsch must end failed Dan James experiment at Leeds United, no longer any excuse
Jesse Marsch no longer has any excuse to continue with player Daniel James as the central Leeds United striker, with other options available.
The Welsh winger was signed for big money from Manchester United ahead of the season, and the club were delighted to have finally got their man, having thought they had secured him two years previously.
But amid a torrid season in terms of injuries he has been pressed into action as the lone striking option by Marcelo Bielsa and now Marsch, with not enough output to justify it.
Ahead of the Whites’ clash with league leaders Manchester City on Saturday (30 April), the American acknowledged the difficulty over James’ situation but would not be moved on the solution.
Adam Pope relayed via Twitter from the manager’s press conference: “JM also realises Dan James is playing out of position and he is thinking of how to play him wider.
“He’s not scored in 11 games but JM not revealing if Greenwood/Gelhardt will start in his place yet.”
What is he waiting for?
It made more sense earlier in the season for Bielsa to turn to the former Swansea man in place of injured starter Patrick Bamford, as an expensive signing and comparatively senior operator.
But based on the results, there is no excuse not to bring one of Sam Greenwood or Joe Gelhardt into that position now.
Joffy scored within a minute of his introduction to net the winner against Norwich (13 March) and kickstart the United revival under the new manager.
He has since suffered his own injury issues, but Marsch himself has extolled the speed at which Greenwood has picked up his methods the fastest, and has responded with two assists in three substitute appearances.
In 15 Premier League appearances this season, only one of which was for the entirety of the game, Gelhardt has scored twice and assisted three.
James has played 31 times in the league, scored four and assisted five, with a full 17 of those being the whole 90 minutes.
According to transfermarkt, he has played as the centre forward 14 times, which accounts for two goals and assists respectively.
Of course, football cannot be completely encapsulated on a stat sheet, and James’ speed and tenacity can be an asset.
But his ability to unsettle defenders and force them into mistakes would be more beneficial if there was a striker there to take advantage.
He was undoubtedly effective in the 3-3 draw at Aston Villa, leading the line and scoring twice, but that sort of performance is rare, and with Burnley resurgent the club needs goals now.
In a stalemate at Crystal Palace last time out James was closer to getting himself sent off than he was to troubling the goalkeeper.
There is no full guarantee that one of the younger pair can turn into a goal machine, but persisting with the speedy Welshman is holding the side back.
In other Leeds United news, the agent who sealed Jack Grealish’s £100million move to Manchester City may be in line to deal with a Whites star’s future.