Leeds United: Andros Townsend moots Rob Page dilemma with Daniel James in Wales v Poland on BBC
Leeds United ace Daniel James has given Wales manager Rob Page a dilemma, according to Luton Town star Andros Townsend.
The dilemma comes ahead of the nation’s Euro 2024 play-off final meeting with Poland at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday (26 March).
Townsend’s Luton teammate Lockyer also believes Page faces a difficulty regarding a decision to start the winger or bring him off the bench.
“I think Harry Wilson has got to play, and Brennan Johnson has to play as well,” Lockyer said on The Monday Night Club on BBC 5 Live Sport (25 March).
“But just playing devil’s advocate then, I hope this isn’t the case, but say Poland are winning and then James has to come on in the last 20 minutes but they are sitting deep and there’s no space for him to run into, is he then as effective as if he starts?”
Townsend added: “On the flip side, I think if you start James, and Poland are in two banks of four or whichever way they play and there’s no spaces in between the lines, then again you’re nullifying him.
“So it’s trying to find a balance of is it best to use him in the first 60 minutes, or is it best to use him hopefully when the game has opened up in the last half an hour. I’m sure these are the dilemmas that Rob Page is facing.”
What will Wales manager Rob Page do with Leeds United man Daniel James?
With 12 goals and seven assists from his 37 Leeds matches this season, James has shone under Daniel Farke.
But given the long list of talented final third players at Elland Road, the winger has found himself in and out of the team.
And he faces a similar issue at international level, with Page opting to bench James for the Euro 2024 semi-final clash against Finland on Thursday (21 March).
David Brooks, Wilson and Johnson got the nod going forward, with James arriving as a 73rd-minute substitute in the 4-1 win.
Impressively, however, the Whites ace scored shortly after coming onto the pitch, undoubtedly giving his manager a selection headache for the meeting with Poland.
It may just make sense for the man in the dugout to stick with the approach from the Finland win, as it really did work wonders.
But Poland represent a different challenge entirely, with Wales undoubtedly set for a tougher 90 minutes in Cardiff this time around.
In other Leeds United news, an Elland Road loanee has sent a message to Archie Gray as England Under-21 footage emerges.
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