Leeds United supporters have seen an increase in the amount of time Joe Gelhardt has seen on the pitch since Jesse Marsch's arrival at the end of February. That said, there is still a clamour for the teenage forward to start matches in the Premier League, which Gelhardt is yet to do under the American coach.
Marsch admitted that Gelhardt had been in contention to start versus Wolverhampton Wanderers prior to the international break, but a back injury picked up in the days leading up to the 3-2 win at Molineux meant he was forced to sit out training. Having also stayed at Thorp Arch instead of travelling with England's U21 side during the last week of March, it was assumed that Gelhardt would be a shoe-in to start against Southampton, given Marsch's comments on the player.
"He has to play, young players have to play in order to improve and he has the quality to do so. So I'm not so concerned about it. I believe in him entirely. And I know he's going to get better and better," Marsch said in his pre-match press conference. However, when the team was announced, Gelhardt once again took his place on the substitutes' bench.
Following the 1-1 draw at Elland Road, Marsch was questioned on his decision to leave Gelhardt out of the starting line-up: "One of the reasons why Joffy [Gelhardt] didn't start this game was because he tested positive at one point during the week, but we think it might have been a false positive, so then he missed like a day and a half.
"So, with Joffy, we haven't been able to get him going and get the rhythm and training and everything the way that we have wanted, which has meant that he's played more of a reserve role, but I thought he came on the game and gave a real boost and was clear with the role and was dangerous at times," Marsch added, having introduced the 19-year-old shortly after the resumption of the second half.
"Certainly I think you have to consider expanding his role more and more and more within the team and we need him to train. The plan will be I think that he plays with the 23s on Monday and hopefully gets more good game minutes and keeps adapting to the style of play we want," Marsch finished.
There have been clear obstacles to Gelhardt making his third career Premier League start and his first under Marsch, but those have been beyond the control of the new head coach. With rhythm in training, an increased understanding of the tactics and a clean bill of health, it appears clear that Gelhardt is considered a first-choice option in attack, particularly with Patrick Bamford's six-week absence.
