Daniel Farke is coming under increasing pressure to extract goals from this Leeds United side, having managed just one in four Premier League games this season.
Leeds’ only goal of the season came from the penalty spot against Everton in the first game of the season from Lukas Nmecha. Since then, Leeds have failed to score, but have hit the bar through Sean Longstaff.
Of course, that has been made worse by Leeds failing to sign any attackers before the end of the summer window. Farke called for new attacking signings, but Harry Wilson and Facundo Buonanotte didn’t join.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks like he is getting fitter and fitter, having started against Fulham. He is likely to start again, but after Harry Gray’s hat-trick for the 21s on Tuesday night, many want to see Gray start.
Daniel Farke during a Leeds game.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Daniel Farke asked if he could fast-track Harry Gray into XI
It is not often that Farke becomes a touch passionate in his press conferences. He remains cool and calm, something which is known to be admired by The 49ers. But Farke was asked about Gray, on Thursday.
Revisiting his previous jobs, Farke explained how his first job was to focus on youth, looking after the academy at Dortmund, replacing a captain with a youngster at Norwich, and bringing in Archie Gray.
Harry Gray and Anton Stach
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Farke made it clear he is the perfect man for the job when deciding when is the best time to bring in Archie’s younger brother: “I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I gave Harry his debut in the crunch time.
“If I were to back a manager to be brave enough to play a young player, to know what a young player needs, I’d pick me. Harry needs to train with the first team, experience physicality of the Premier League.
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“He needs game time with the U21s to stay in his rhythm and not to lose his striker instinct. He needs time and peace to develop. You will see him once he is prepared for Premier League games.”
Harry Gray’s stats for Leeds United’s U21 side this season
Gray has already clocked up six appearances for the U21 side this season, while also remaining an unused sub at Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup. A good result may have seen him come on as a sub.
In his six appearances for the 21s under Scott Gardner, incredibly, Gray has seven goals. A hat-trick on Tuesday night against Scunthorpe United’s first team is highly impressive, especially given he is still 17.
Name Games Minutes Goals Assists Minutes per G+A
Harry Gray 6 540 7 2 60
It comes after four goals in his three Premier League 2 games, netting one apiece against Ipswich and Burnley, while two against Aston Villa. Gray has also laid on two assists for Gardner’s second string.