Laughing at the Leeds United critics is one way Daniel James stays level-headed on his striker experiment, but using Jesse Marsch’s verdict as a shield against the hate is another method. With Patrick Bamford injured for the majority of the season, Rodrigo preferred behind a frontman and Joe Gelhardt protected from too much exposure, the number nine shirt frequently fell on James’s shoulders.
Ever the willing team player, the Wales international stuck to his task. However, his return of four goals from 32 appearances during a season of struggle for the team overall made it easy for the knives to come out.
James’s role at the head of the attack was not one head coach’s stubborn idea either. First Marcelo Bielsa tried it for long periods without a prolific spell for James, but even the arrival of Marsch would not end the experiment.
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Evidently, the American saw something in it too. James said: "I don’t read much in the media because you can read 100 good things, one bad thing and it might get you down. Even if I do see something, just keep level-headed, just laugh about it.”
Marsch has reassured James himself and addressed the barren spell in front of goal. The head coach has been at pains to remind the former Swansea City man of what else he is bringing to the party besides goals.
“It’s a position I played a lot last season,” said James. “Jesse always brought me in and showed me how much I do to help the team by just stretching it, keeping people honest and he brought me in at times where ‘you might not have scored as many as you wanted to, but look what you’re creating for the team.’
“[There are] things that probably aren’t seen in the public eye watching on TV. It was always nice to hear that from the manager, but yes, as a player, I want to score more goals and that’s something I’ll continue to work on off the pitch. Jesse will always help me with that as well.”
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