Leeds United coach reveals fans’ impact on Archie Gray development after youngster’s breakthrough – YEP 29/9/23
Leeds United Under-21s’ head coach Michael Skubala says supporters at youth team games have played a part in Archie Gray’s first-team breakthrough this season.
By Joe Donnohue
Leeds teenager Gray has featured in each of the Whites’
first ten games across all competitions this season, starting the first nine
under Daniel Farke.
The 17-year-old made his professional debut in the Whites’
opening day draw with Cardiff City back in August but has taken to senior
football with relative ease, earning plaudits for his mature performances in
the second tier.
Over the past two seasons, the great-nephew of Leeds icon
Eddie Gray was, when fit, a regular under Skubala for the club’s Under-21s.
Speaking following his team’s 2-0 win versus OGC Nice in the
Premier League International Cup, Skubala credited exposure to crowds at youth
level with Gray’s acclimation to the intensity of a first-team atmosphere on
matchdays.
“I think it's so important for their development to
understand how the crowd can help them,” Skubala said. “Also, [when] the crowd
are shouting it makes it a different environment for the players. So, I think
we can't underestimate the support from the fans and how much it helps the
young players in terms of their development.
“You might not see it now, but when you see [them] coming on
for the first team, and they can cope like Archie Gray because they've had
crowds a little bit. I think that's one of the special [aspects] of Elland
Road, we get good crowds with the 21s. I think it's really special.”
Northern Irish youngster Charlie Allen grabbed a goal and
assist in the win over French opposition on Thursday night, describing the test
as a ‘different ball game’ going up against foreign opponents.
“It was a good test for us, something different. I thought
they were really good on the ball, had a couple of decent individual players as
well. I think it's a really good test for us coming up against teams from
different countries, different ball game really.
