Sky Sports pundit: Joe Gelhardt makes Daniel James play better for Leeds United
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United...
Daniel James plays better for Leeds United when Joe Gelhardt is also on the pitch, according to Paul Robinson.
James, 24, was regularly played in the centre-forward role by Marcelo Bielsa before his sacking last month and more often than not, the Welsh international was getting criticised for his performance.
It’s no surprise given that he’s a natural winger but Robinson is pleased to see 19-year-old Gelhardt getting game-time in the striker position and, as a result, helping James stay out wide where he’s at his best.
“Gelhardt is the go-to substitute,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News. “Every time they’ve needed a goal, whether it be Bielsa or Marsch in charge, whenever they’ve needed a goal, they’ve put Gelhardt on so why not play him from the start? He’s a goal threat.
“He gives the team another dimension, he spreads the play, he creates chances, he runs, he plays as a number nine, he creates defenders problems, he’s a past and a real old-fashioned striker. I like what he does.
“He also allows Dan James to play better. James is much more effective coming in from a wide position than playing in that striker role. You want him running and getting in peoples’ faces.
“With Gelhardt, both managers used him as a threat off the bench so why not start him if Bamford’s not fit?
“I think the plan was to always play Patrick for 45 minutes at the weekend and hopefully he hasn’t had any effects from that and can start the game on Friday against Wolves.
“But, if and when he does come off the field – which I suspect he will at some point – it’s a straight swap for Gelhardt now. It has to be.”
Gelhardt came off the bench to score a last-minute winner for Leeds as they beat Norwich 2-1 at Elland Road on Sunday.
It was his second Premier League goal of the campaign while James has scored four times in his 27 league outings for the Whites since his summer move from Manchester United.
In other Leeds United news, a new injury worry at Elland Road could not have come at a worse time for this player.