Leeds United hit with Harry Gray reality as Rotherham lesson revealed already
Leeds United may have to stay patient with Harry Gray’s development at senior level.
Gray has been tearing things up at Thorp Arch, scoring goals for fun at youth level, and supporters are excited to see what the teenager can do.
The Whites have a massive talent on their hands with the striker, and it was crucial that a detailed plan was mapped out for him this month.
Leeds decided to loan Gray out to Rotherham United for the rest of the season in January, where the 17-year-old will learn his trade in League One.
The promising number nine has played two matches now, and his manager, Matt Hamshaw, will be hoping for Gray to kick on.
Matt Hamshaw says what Harry Gray will ‘learn’
Gray recently signed a new contract with Leeds, and it may only be a matter of time before he becomes a regular starter for the Whites.
Before departing for Rotherham, Gray already managed to bag himself 11 goals in 13 games for Leeds‘ U21s this season, and a loan move was the correct call.
He played in his side’s 1-1 draw against Wimbledon on Saturday, which made it his second start for the Millers.
- Gray was fouled four times versus Wimbledon
- He picked up a yellow card
- Gray got a shot on target
Speaking after the draw, Hamshaw delivered his verdict on Gray’s performance.
Hamshaw said, as quoted by the Rotherham Advertiser: “I just felt that Harry was getting latched onto their centre-backs a bit much and should have come off them and not had that battle.
“He’s not going to win that battle at 17. They’re the bits that he’ll learn. He came off the defenders and got in those pockets, then you just saw him fatigue a little bit at the end.”
It’s nothing to be concerned about, as Gray has plenty of time to improve his game, and it’s why loans like this are so important for Leeds’ youth stars.
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Footage of Gray vs Wimbledon is impressive
There will obviously be areas of his games, like physicality, where Gray will have to adapt, as League One is a relentless division where defenders and midfielders like to get stuck in.
However, Hamshaw will be fully aware of the qualities that the Leeds loanee does bring to his side, and it’s why he’s started the forward twice already.
The young Englishman is clearly confident in dropping deep and interlinking play with his new teammates, and as partnerships are created, he could benefit from more goal-scoring opportunities.
It also helps that Rotherham appear to be a side who like to play possession football, similar to the Whites.
It may take some years, but the thinking is that Gray will one day become a starting Premier League player with Leeds.
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