BBC pundit hails unappreciated Sam Byram for Leeds United as ‘far better player’ impacts teammates
Sam Byram is a “far better player” than he is given credit for and regularly improves the performances of Leeds United wingers ahead of him, according to Ross McCormack.
The former Whites striker spoke live on BBC Radio Leeds after the 4-1 win over Huddersfield on Saturday (28 October) to say the 30-year-old “offers a lot more than what people give him credit for” after some were underwhelmed by his summer return from Norwich.
But manager Daniel Farke “trusts” the defender, who returned as a right-back but has made the troublesome left-back spot his own this season.
McCormack said (2.46pm): “I’ve always thought that to be honest, even when he broke through here, I always thought that the winger in front of him seemed to have a decent game as well.
“He offers a lot more than what people give him credit for. When he got brought back to the club people were like, ‘Oh he’s not going to play, he didn’t play much for Norwich’.
“He’s been brought back because Daniel Farke trusts him, he knows what he’s going to get, and for me every game I’ve seen this season when Sam plays the winger in front of him has a good game, and that’s no coincidence.
“He knows when to overlap at the right time. He knows when to leave people one v one. I just think he’s a far better player than what he gets credit for.”
Fair assessment
Byram’s form has faltered slightly over the past month or so but he has still been a high-value signing this term as a free transfer who has, at least partially, solved problems at left-back.
His injury record was in question while he was trying to earn himself a contract during preseason but so far even that has improved.
Having not made more than 18 league appearances in any league season since he left Elland Road originally for West Ham in 2015 there were doubts over how often he would even be able to play.
But after 13 Championship outings and counting so far under Farke he has already proven the decision to re-sign him a good one.
Considering Junior Firpo has struggled for fitness to an even greater extent, and has flattered to deceive when he has played, while Leo Hjelde has somewhat vanished from consideration, the squad might look more complete if another signing was made at the position.
But for now Leeds United are doing pretty well with Byram as the starter and Jamie Shackleton as emergency back-up, as they sit third in the table behind runaway leaders Leicester and Ipswich.
In other Leeds United news, Adam Pope has shared a Crysencio Summerville injury update ahead of the clash with Leicester after he was withdrawn early against Huddersfield.