Leeds United: BBC Sport pundit makes Dan James prediction after what happened in Wales v Poland
Leeds United ace Dan James will take a while to recover from his penalty miss for Wales, according to Sam Ricketts.
The former Wales defender made the prediction after the winger missed from the spot in the Euro 2024 play-off clash with Poland.
The match in Cardiff on Tuesday (26 March) ended 0-0, with James the only player to miss his penalty as Poland secured a 5-4 win on spot-kicks.
“You could see the pressure he felt even just walking up to the penalty,” Ricketts said on BBC Radio 5 Live, as quoted by BBC Sport. “He didn’t look confident.
“It was really a big ask. It is a long walk from the halfway line to the penalty spot and when you know if you miss you are out it adds extra pressure to it. It was a good save. How he is feeling today only he will know and it will take him a while to recover.”
Leeds United will surely help Dan James recover after Wales heartache
It was a cruel way for Wales’ Euro 2024 dream to come to an end, with Poland instead securing a spot in the finals this summer.
They will be playing in Germany in Group D with France, the Netherlands and Austria, in what is undoubtedly one of the toughest groups in the competition.
That would have been a fantastic experience for the current group of Wales players, but instead they will be watching on from home in the summer.
Given the nature of a penalty shoot-out, there was always going to be at least one player leaving the Cardiff City Stadium distraught, with James unfortunately suffering the heartache all on his own.
The winger will, however, undoubtedly be looked after by everyone at Elland Road, with Whites fans certain to show their appreciation for the winger when club action returns.
The attacker is enjoying a superb campaign in the Championship, with a trip to Watford up next for James and his teammates on Friday (29 March) as they look to gain automatic promotion to the Premier League.
In other Leeds United news, a Whites offer for Matt O’Riley is on the cards as a Celtic transfer stance emerges.
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