Rob Page makes Dan James ‘confidence’ admission at Leeds United ahead of Wales v Poland
Rob Page has lauded Dan James’ impact off the bench during Wales’ 4-1 victory over Finland on Thursday 21 March, highlighting his Leeds United form as the catalyst.
The 26-year-old is currently the Whites’ second-highest scorer in the Championship this season, three short of Crysencio Summerville, but has been recently bumped to the bench by Wilfried Gnonto.
With his last Leeds start coming against Stoke City on Tuesday 5 March, netting the only goal of the match, Page decided on David Brooks and Brennan Johnson ahead of him for Wales’ Euro 2024 play-off semi-final victory over the Finns but Page was glowing of the flying winger ahead of the play-off final contest versus Poland in Cardiff on Tuesday (26 March).
Speaking via Sky Sports on Monday (25 March), the international boss said: “I thought we did well to get the job finished against Finland, particularly Dan James coming on, with bags of confidence that he’s got from doing well at club level. To give a performance like that is really good for us.”
Can the Leeds United boys lead Wales to Euro 2024 qualification?
With just one match separating Wales from Euro 2024 in Germany this summer, Leeds’ players will have a defining factor in the nation’s near future.
Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Connor Roberts all started Wales’ 4-1 win over Finland, as did Glen Kamara, who will now play a friendly against Estonia, causing Daniel Farke a lot of worry over the fitness of his key players during the international break.
The former duo have created a formidable defensive partnership, with Ampadu dropping back from his natural midfield position to cover for Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk.
And despite only joining the club on loan from Burnley during the January transfer window, Roberts has already had a major impact on Leeds’ promotion hopes, having scored against Leicester City in an incredible 3-1 thriller last month.
Having beaten Millwall 2-0 on Sunday 17 March, Leeds were able to go into the international break atop the Championship table, with the Foxes busy exiting in a 3-2 FA Cup thriller against Chelsea.
Due to Ipswich Town’s intervention, the title is set to come down to the wire, though Farke’s previous experience in the division with Norwich City will certainly come in handy.
In other Leeds United news, the club are days away from a new financial announcement.
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