| Will Daniel James’ ‘greed’ cost Leeds and Wales? |
Daniel James is on a double mission to keep Leeds United in the Premier League and take Wales to the World Cup in Qatar. As daunting as it may seem, the former Manchester United forward has welcomed the challenge with both hands.
Leeds find themselves at the deep end of relegation scrap, a situation that cost Marcelo Biesla his job. Before last weekend’s clash with Norwich City, the Lillywhites had picked up just one victory this year. When they lost, they did scandalously.
Leeds conceded three and four at home against Aston Villa and Tottenham respectively and south africa online casino backed the game with odds at the time. Away from Elland Road, they suffered a 6-0 defeat against Liverpool, an embarrassing result for any team at any level.
Back home, Wales are daring to dream. The last (and only) time the European nation reached the final of the World Cup was at the 1958 edition in Sweden. A certain teenager, Pele scored the only goal that eliminated Jimmy Murphy’s side in the quarterfinals.
Asked about the prospect of making history in Qatar, James said “It would be very good. At the moment it's just concentrating on Leeds but at the back of your mind we've got these massive games coming up. Games everyone is looking forward to.
"The whole country will be behind us like they were in the Euros. It's going to be a tough game and we have to prepare right. For us to get into the World Cup would be a massive achievement for the whole country and we fully believe in ourselves."
James, who loves online casino Australia , has become a regular since leaving Manchester United last August and has played nearly 30 games for Leeds. The 30-cap Wales star has added to his game by filling in as a striker with Patrick Bamford out for long spells through injury and he may have to fill a similar role for his country with Kieffer Moore out with a broken foot.
"It's helped me when I do play out wide that I know what positions I want to be in as a nine, when to release the ball, what times the striker wants the ball, whether to make the front or back stick. It's been a big learning curve and it's been good. It's definitely going to help me going with Wales”.
James was influential as Leeds ended their winless run against Norwich. The 24-year-old provided the assist for Rodrigo’s goal in the 14th minute before Joe Gerhardt came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner.
However, the result could have been different if not for James’ ‘greed’. In the second half, Leeds failed to double their advantage and make things more comfortable when the forward opted to have a shot at goal instead of playing in a ball to Mateusz Klich.
Leeds squandered many chances throughout the 90 minutes but James’ failure to pass to Klich stood out. The 31-year-old has shown a knack for scoring goals but he has been starved by James and co.
Understandbly, the 24-year-old is desperate to add to his tally of four Premier League goals. He has not found the net in seven successive matches, since a brace against Aston Villa early February.
Yet James’ taste for personal glory, if not properly managed, could ultimately affect Leeds and Wales.
[ photo embedded from FAW Cymru ]