The Harrison experiment
Jesse Marsch only mentioned it yesterday, but the Leeds United head coach was quick to back up his comments on the left-back problem. With Junior Firpo now joining Stuart Dallas on the sidelines, the Whites do not have a senior, natural left-back fit for the first game of the season.
Jack Harrison was mentioned in passing by Marsch as one of the existing members of the squad who could feasibly be moulded into a full-back. He was thrown into that position from the start against Brisbane Roar.
It is hard to draw any meaningful conclusions from 45 minutes in July against an A-League side in front of a few thousand spectators. However, nobody would have come away from Cbus Super Stadium feeling confident about starting the season with Harrison at left-back.
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Of course, the winger provided the attacking thrust the team needs from its full-backs, but on more than one occasion, Harrison was turned inside out and caught out of position defensively. That’s entirely understandable and nobody should criticise him for that first performance, but it at least gives Marsch a marking post for what he has at his disposal.
Marsch stopped short of backing Leif Davis to even be at Elland Road by the end of the transfer window last week. If the head coach doesn't fancy the 22-year-old to mind the shop while Firpo recovers then left-back has to be near the top of the club's remaining transfer agenda.
Even in attack, where Victor Orta's attention is currently trained, the club has options like Patrick Bamford and Joe Gelhardt. The cupboard is bare at left-back.
Kristensen starts quickly
If it’s ill-advised to criticise any player too harshly for pre-season performances, it’s equally misguided to praise anyone too strongly. Rasmus Kristensen started very well in his first Leeds appearance.
The right-back was known for his attacking output in the Austrian Bundesliga and Leeds were quickly using him as a route to the final third frequently against Brisbane. The Dane was not afraid to get upfield and persistently offer a run down the channel.
Whenever Kristensen did get the ball, he seemed to do something with it more often than not. His crosses into the box and build-up play were hugely encouraging.
James puts himself at the heart of everything
One goal and one assist in a 2-1 victory for the Whites is exactly what Daniel James would have asked for. What’s more, he was only on the pitch for half an hour.
The Wales international was playing off the right flank in a role Marsch has encouraged him to take on. Marsch said he wants to see James use his right foot off that flank more, while the winger has told him he prefers to play off the left.
The former Manchester United man was chastised for his profligacy in the final third last season and, by his own admission, he would like to see better statistics from himself next term. This was a promising start.
The goal was well struck and delivered by an expert Adam Forshaw pass, but only made possible by James’s movement. The assist was a delightfully chipped pass into the back post for the diminutive Joe Gelhardt to finish.
Bigger tests to come
United dominated possession and territory for the majority of Thursday’s match and they created enough openings to score more than two goals. However, they also had enough lapses in the second half to concede at least another Brisbane strike.
Marsch will take some learnings from this game, namely work on stopping opposition counters, but as has been mentioned with Harrison and Kristensen, there are only so many questions an A-League side can ask. Aston Villa and Crystal Palace should tell us a lot more about the direction Leeds are heading in with the new season three weeks away.
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