Leeds United gave Javi Gracia the perfect start to life in Yorkshire as they squeezed out a narrow Premier League victory against relegation rivals Southampton.
In a game which followed a similar trend to many in which the Whites partake, they dominated possession but once again flattered to deceive. They boasted 60% of the ball and mustered 14 shots to the visitors’ eight, yet the final score was just 1-0 (via Sofascore).
Whilst there were a number of standout performers, once again Jack Harrison disappointed with another poor display to go along with many others in recent weeks and months. He was sloppy once again and squandered plenty of fine opportunities to put the game to bed for Leeds.
The 26-year-old’s shortcomings nearly ruined Gracia’s big day, and the Spaniard must surely be questioning the winger’s inclusion in forthcoming team selections.
How did Jack Harrison play against Southampton?
Although Sofascore offered him a 7.6 rating, with only match-winning hero Junior Firpo earning higher, the underlying statistics outline Harrison as a wasteful presence across his 90-minute stint. This rating was likely propped up heavily by his assist for the left-back’s goal, where he only touched it around the corner before Firpo’s low drive squirmed under Gavin Bazunu.
Journalist Jake Winderman even took to Twitter to plead with the manager to substitute the 26-year-old, writing: “Please get Jack Harrison off the pitch. He’s been dreadful for weeks now.”
With the winger having posted a Sofascore rating of 6.3 or lower in four of his five matches prior to today, you can see where Winderman is coming from with the latter statement.
Where the ex-Manchester City gem was particularly disappointing was out wide, as he was handed plenty of space to try and find Patrick Bamford, but to no avail. Of Harrison’s nine attempted crosses, only two were accurate, denoting an abysmal 22% accuracy.
This is compounded by how often he squandered possession, losing the ball 19 times with his 60 touches, an average of just under once every three touches.
Although the day will be remembered for a welcome victory which takes Leeds out of the relegation zone, it perhaps overshadows a larger issue in that Harrison has not scored in the top flight since August.
It is something which Gracia will want him to sort out as soon as possible, but only after the 52-year-old celebrates the perfect start to life at Elland Road.
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