Secret ingredients behind Leeds United man's stellar season as criticism disappears — YEP 13/2/25
By Graham Smyth
Daniel James' willingness to take on board 'little hints'
from the Leeds United coaching staff has underpinned his stellar season
according to Daniel Farke.
Tuesday night's trip to Watford and a pair of fine finishes
took James to 10 goals and six assists for the season. He's the second Whites
man to hit double figures for the campaign, behind leading goalscorer Joel
Piroe who has 14. James' attacking threat has been a near-constant feature of
Leeds' offensive efforts this season but lately he has been a menace for the
Championship. Only once has he gone three games without a goal contribution and
in his last seven outings he has five goals and three assists.
End product was once the biggest criticism of James,
something his boss openly recognises. It is the Welsh international's openness
to feedback that has helped make that criticism a thing of the past.
"I was always a big, big fan of Daniel James, of his
skills, but also of his character," said Farke. "And of course, there
was always criticism about him in terms of end products, goals and assists, but
we have worked on this topic. But the most important topic is that he is also
open to improve, and he's also a player when you work with him, when you give
him trust, when you give him backing, you give him a few details how he can
improve his game, he's always open and on it in order to execute it in this way."
A consistent run of games without injury has also helped.
Other than a hamstring problem that kept him out of six games earlier in the
season, James has managed to stay fit and available. And Farke insists that a
workrate on the pitch that has endeared James to supporters is matched with
what he does behind the scenes.
"He brought himself into such a good shape, and now
that he can play with confidence, and confidence and rhythm is always the key
in order to be that successful in delivering end products," said the
German. "The little hints and recommendations that we gave him, he is
always open and executed. So all the praise goes to him. I think his work ethic
and his workload on the training pitch at Thorp Arch is crucial, and this is
why he's delivering in the way he has done so far this season."
James and Leeds have a weekend off from Championship action
but return to Elland Road to host fellow promotion hopefuls Sunderland on
Monday night.