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Javi Gracia forced to keep calling upon Leeds United ace after what happened v Brighton – Our View

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Jack Harrison’s form for Leeds United this season can be summed up by his performance in the draw against Brighton at the weekend.

Harrison started the season like a house on fire with one goal and three assists in his first three games, earning justified England shouts in the process.

However, a series of poor performances since brought his form crashing down to which he has struggled a great deal since.

A home clash against Brighton was not greeted with much optimism by the Leeds fanbase at the weekend, so coming away with a 2-2 draw was a positive result despite still moving down a place in the league.

At the thick of the action at both ends was Harrison, who assisted Patrick Bamford’s 1-1 equaliser, before scoring an own goal for 1-2, to then make amends with a stunning goal to draw the Whites level again.

His performances split opinion and with a crucial game coming up once again this week, our writers Kris (FA5) and Alfie (N12) discuss whether the winger should keep his place against Wolves…

Harrison’s outing at the weekend perhaps sums his season up perfectly, with fans justified in being unhappy with how he played, only to come away with an assist and a worldie of a goal.

His decision making in the final third needs to be addressed, because so many times we get into positions where a cross is on, or a quicker pass is needed, and three or four touches later, the chance goes begging.

I’m surprised he saw enough of the game to stay on and score that equaliser, especially after helping bundle home for Brighton’s second when he could have just used his right foot to clear.

He can be such a frustrating player when he dallies on the ball in the final third, but then has the capacity to pick out the top corner with a stunner of a goal like that, and you wonder where that has been all game.

Gracia will much prefer Harrison’s ending to the game than his first hour or so, and perhaps he’s done enough to stay in the side.

Either way, he has little margin for error when Willy Gnonto is behind him waiting to play.

Will Harrison sign a new Leeds contract?

Yes

Yes

No

No

Saturday was such a weird day for Harrison.

He couldn’t do right for doing wrong right up until the own goal (even though that’s now been given to Solly March, he should’ve dealt with it). His passing and crossing wasn’t good enough, despite the credited assist for Bamford.

However, strangely, his performance lifted later on and he ended the game strongly, stroking in a glorious equaliser.

We know Harrison is a confidence player and, because of that, it’s probably time to back him in Gracia’s line-up. He has regularly contributed goals and assists in the last two seasons and that could be massive for Leeds in the run-in.

Other options are waiting in the wings but you’ve got to imagine Gracia will be looking to chip into how Harrison finished the game against Brighton.

Quiz: Can you remember Leeds United's last 15 results v Wolves ahead of Molineux trip?

1 of 15

November 2022, Molineux (EFL Cup)?

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.