Jesse Marsch has singled out Joe Gelhardt and Archie Gray for praise in his post-match press conference – as per Leeds Live – following a 2-1 pre-season friendly Leeds win over A-League side Brisbane Roar in Australia.
Goals from Dan James and Gelhardt saw Leeds United Football Club secure victory in their first match in Australia. That is, despite trialist James Knowles scoring for Roar and the Australian outfit improving towards the end of the match.
Leeds next take on Aston Villa and the Crystal Palace while down under, their next game coming in the early hours of Sunday morning against Villa. Only two players got 90 minutes, in Pascal Struijk and Kristoffer Klaesson.
Speaking after the 2-1 win, Marsch was full of praise for 20-year-old Gelhardt for his brilliant header. He also spoke about 16-year-old Gray, who got 15 minutes after starting in the 4-0 win over Blackpool.
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“The goal he scored was quite good. He had some clever moments around the goal and I think he does really well to win the header for the goal,” Marsch commented on Gelhardt.
He continued, discussing Gray: “I don’t think anyone treats him any other way other than part of the team. We have to find ways to challenge him and keep pushing him.”
Marsch has singled out Gelhardt and Gray for praise as Leeds win
It was a good first-half performance from Leeds, Gelhardt earning an 8/10 in our player ratings. For Gray, he had little time to make an impact but a couple of nice passes and a crucial defensive intervention saw him impress.
Leeds have three groups of players. Those in and around 30, those between 20 and 25, and the likes of Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood, Gray, Darko Gyabi and others that are coming through. A really good balance, at Elland Road.
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