Dan James frustrated amid journo verdict after Leeds United v Blackburn
Dan James suffered a “bad day” with a number of “wayward” deliveries as Leeds United were held by Blackburn Rovers, according to Graham Smyth.
The chief football writer for the Yorkshire Evening Post (2 January) criticised what he deemed to be a rare off-colour performance from the Welsh international, as Leeds passed up the late lead they took through Pascal Struijk’s penalty at Elland Road.
Danny Batth’s last-gasp equaliser denied the Whites two vital points in the race for promotion, but Daniel Farke’s men do remain top of the pile in the Championship.
“Bad day – Daniel James. This was not the deadly efficiency that James’ red-hot form has produced of late,” Smyth recounted from Wednesday’s clash (1 January).
“His usual work-rate and effort was there, he got into great positions but too many of his crosses were wayward or blocked.
“Blackburn found a way to frustrate him and sent him back towards his own goal.”
Leeds United must rediscover winning note
As it stands, Leeds United are doing that crucial bit more than their fellow promotion hopefuls to remain the only Championship side to have broken the 50-point barrier.
That particular feat was achieved before the turn of the year, courtesy of Brenden Aaronson’s late winner at Derby County last Sunday (29 December).
It looked for all the world that Struijk’s late spot-kick would repeat the feat, but for a resilient Blackburn side who just would not lie down; James himself is a match-winner at this level and had he been on song, the Whites may just have sealed the contest earlier.
However, it cannot all be put at his door nor that of his talented array of teammates. When James has a dip during a game, it should be down to the stars around him to carry the burden as the Welshman has done himself.
Leeds will be glad to see the back of a Blackburn side who have taken four points from them this campaign, inflicting their last defeat on 30 November.
But aside from John Eustace’s thorns in the Yorkshire rose, it was only another trip to Lancashire which has seen the Whites drop any further points in their last 11 games, Preston on 14 December. It’s not such a bad record by any stretch.
After Hull City this Saturday (4 January) and three straight home games divided between league and FA Cup, the month ends with another trip across to the neighbouring county, in a crucial meeting with Burnley.
In other Leeds news, Clinton Morrison predicts the realistic chances of Patrick Bamford moving to Wrexham as links intensify.
For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.