Steve Sidwell amazed by what he saw ‘sensational’ Leeds star do v Middlesbrough
Steve Sidwell believes Leeds United have put any nervousness they had to bed with their first-half performance against Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
Leeds went into the Championship clash with Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium with a lot of pressure, having won only one of their last six games and dropped out of the automatic promotion places.
However, Daniel Farke’s side look determined to put the disappointment of their recent run of form behind them, starting the game on the front foot.
It took the Whites just seconds to take the lead against Michael Carrick’s side, with Dan James getting on the end of a low, firm cross from Manor Solomon from the left-hand side.
Sidwell spots ‘refreshing’ thing Leeds ace is doing v Middlesbrough
Reacting to footage from the opening 15 minutes of the game in the Sky Sports studio, Sidwell pointed out that Leeds have been in total control over Middlesbrough despite their recent results.
The former Premier League star reserved special praise for James, who he described as “absolutely phenomenal” and “absolutely electric”.
| Middlesbrough | Stat | Leeds |
| 4 | Shots | 3 |
| 0 | Shots on target | 2 |
| 49% | Possession | 51% |
| 281 | Passes | 285 |
| 88% | Pass accuracy | 88% |
Sidwell shed light on how the Wales international has had a significant impact on Leeds despite the game still being in its infancy.
He also admitted that it has been “refreshing” to see the former Manchester United attacker make runs in behind and stretch the Boro defence.
“Oh, the goal has really settled any kind of nerves; they are so in control”, Sidwell said on Sky Sports News (8 April, 8:18 pm).
“[Leeds are] on attack here, gets cleared by Boro. Dan James has been absolutely electric. We have a chance here, [Brenden] Aaronson is in the box again, again cleared by Boro.
“They look really calm in possession, just stroking the ball round nicely.
“Dan James has been absolutely sensational in the first, what, 16-17 minutes he’s had.
“He’s already scored, he’s had a shot saved from [Mark] Travers, and he’s been… do you know what’s been refreshing? Runs in behind.
“He comes short, he goes in behind, he’s stretching the Boro back line. He’s been dynamic.”
Farke will be relieved after first half at Riverside
Leeds thought they had doubled their lead against Middlesbrough when Ao Tanaka bundled the ball in from close range in the 34th minute.
However, the goal was immediately disallowed after the Japan international was deemed offside.
Tanaka, though, maintained that he was not in an illegal position and replays have since suggested that he was right, much to Leeds’ frustration.
Nevertheless, Farke will be slightly relieved after witnessing his team’s first-half performance at the Riverside Stadium.
The Whites, though, cannot afford to rest on their laurels, as they need to ensure they hold on to their one-goal lead, if not increase it, to return to West Yorkshire with all three points.