Curtis Davies and Alex Neil were full of praise for Leeds United academy product, Alex Mowatt, who has become a ‘gem’ at Barnsley, as they told Sky Sports on Saturday afternoon.
Four years after leaving Leeds, Mowatt missed the chance to re-unite with his former club in the Premier League after they were beaten in the Championship play-off semi-finals yesterday.
Leeds fans are well aware of what the pain of losing a play-off game feels like, as Mowatt experienced that at the hands of Swansea.
But regardless of that heartache from the Tykes, they have had a remarkable campaign given that last season they avoided relegation on the final day.
Derby defender, Curtis Davies, and ex-Preston boss, Alex Neil, who would have come up against Mowatt from the pitch and touchline and they had nothing but praise for the player.
“He’s like the gem in their side,” said Davies. “He probably has that bit of quality to play for a Swansea or someone like that.
“He has that little bit of quality to open up defences where they do offer the opportunities. I know his link up with Morris this season has been excellent. I think they have assisted each other with seven goals.
“You know he has that quality and the way he governs that midfield is fantastic. But it’s interesting to see that he’s out of contract now and whether he stays.”
Neil added: “He came through that young group at Leeds with Charlie Taylor, Sam Byram and Cook that went to Bournemouth. And they were a really good group that came through together.
“He didn’t really hit his strides (at Leeds) and I think he’s found a club which he can express himself. And he is the gem that they have got.”
Given the job Marcelo Bielsa has done at Leeds and the players he has improved, it would have been interesting to see what sort of impact he could have had on a Mowatt.
It could be argued that Mowatt was as talented as Kalvin Phillips coming through the Throp Arch ranks, or not far off.
And given Bielsa’s ability to light up anyone’s career then there is no doubt that someone like Mowatt would have thrived under his stewardship.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
