Ben Parker heaps praise on ‘superb’ Gelhardt for Leeds U23s
LUTV commentator Ben Parker has heaped praise on Joe Gelhardt after a typically battling first-half display against Newcastle for the Leeds United Under23s.
Gelhardt started in a very strong line-up this afternoon at Thorp Arch, after missing out on the last Under-23s clash and the Chelsea game.
Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood have struck up a really good partnership for the Under-23s this season, alternating between the number nine and ten positions.
Gelhardt started up top and earned gushing praise from Parker after falling back deeper to win the ball back.
“That’s superb,” said Parker on the LUTV commentary of the game.
“Gelhardt dropped into the no.10 position and it was his turn to press the centre-back.
“The determination and work-rate from Gelhardt there is superb.”
Gelhardt opened the scoring after earned a penalty in the 16th minute when his strength and determination saw him best the Newcastle defender.
He took the spot-kick himself with a confident stuttering run to give Leeds the lead.
“That was all down to hard work, drive, determination to make something out of nothing,” Parker said.
“He must be a nightmare when he’s running at you because you just can’t dangle a foot in as his close control is so good.
“He’s just getting better and better with each game, he’s a stand-out player on the pitch.
“He has got so much quality, he deserves to be on the bench with the first team.”
Leeds Under-23s won the game 2-1.
Gelhardt ready for big bow
It surely can’t be too much longer before Gelhardt makes his first-team debut.
He genuinely looks a level above the Under-23s and he’s got the physique and the strength to play for the senior side.
He scored his eighth goal for the under-23s from the spot today and with Patrick Bamford potentially out of the game against Fulham on Friday, he’ll be eying the first-team squad again.
His versatility and ability to swap in and out of positions with Sam Greenwood has the real hallmark of Bielsa about it and you can see the influence the first-team manager has had on his game.
At the moment, we don’t think it’s a lack of talent that’s keeping Gelhardt out of the first-team. We think it’s about Bielsa having a plan and wanting to manage him carefully.
We know the fans are keen for him to make his debut and we think it will happen this season.
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