Jack Harrison provoked ‘angry’ scenes in Leeds United away end v Chelsea in second half at Stamford Bridge
Leeds United forward Jack Harrison provoked an “angry response” from the Whites supporters in Saturday’s defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, according to Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth.
The Whites fell to a second consecutive defeat in all competitions since Javi Gracia’s appointment as manager in a narrow 1-0 loss to Chelsea, leaving them just a point above the relegation places in the Premier League table.
Despite the result, the Whites had chances and openings to trouble Chelsea. Still, Smyth pointed out that Harrison left Leeds support raging after his ineffective and wasteful actions in the second half.
Writing in his Yorkshire Evening Post column [7 March], he said: “It is in moments when Harrison acts upon instinct that Leeds arguably get the best of him. His most recent assist, the impudent back-heel to put Junior Firpo in for his winner against Southampton, was just that.
“When he has time and space he can conjure up end product, but he can frustrate, wildly, with too many touches, a run into a cul-de-sac or a poorly executed cross.
“And so to Chelsea, where an over-hit delivery that sailed out of play provoked an angry response from fed-up visiting fans.
“It was a bad one, no doubt because at 1-0 down Leeds were building some momentum and pressure and Harrison, running onto a Weston McKennie pass, had opportunity and motive but not the means to make a difference. The exasperation on the face of Willy Gnonto was matched only by that on Harrison’s.”
Frustrating
There is no doubt, Harrison on his day is one of Leeds United’s most influential and innovative player as he’s shown numerous times this season and throughout his Elland Road career, but those instances have been too few far and between since his failed January move to Leicester City.
The 29-year-old has only registered one assist since the end of January, and just one goal and two assists since the turn of the year proving that his head was well and truly turned when he was sent to the Foxes’ training ground on deadline day.
But for a late save from the Whites’ American part-owners, the former Manchester City academy product could well have been playing alongside the likes of James Maddison and Harvey Barnes at the King Power.
Nonetheless, if the Whites are to steer clear of relegation once again, they will need Harrison back in focus and in top form but his struggles and slackness in the final third right now are seriously hurting Gracia’s quest to steer them out of trouble. Leeds desperately need him to get it together.
In other Leeds United news, the club may now face a losing battle to keep their star player at Elland Road beyond the summer transfer window.
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