Roy Keane was critical of Leeds United loanee Dan James for his first-half display during Wales’ 1-1 draw against the USA at the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Monday.
In the words of the former Manchester United captain, Wales were ‘sloppy’ in the first half and James was part of the problem because, when the ball was played forward to the winger, he wasn’t able to keep hold of it and provide his team with a ‘breather’, as he told ITV Sport.
That’s why the 25-year-old, who is on-loan at Fulham this season, was hooked at half-time by manager Rob Page, with the more robust and hard-hitting, Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore coming on in his place.
That made a huge difference because Wales were playing higher up, attacking USA’s final third a lot more and winning more duels, including Gareth Bale winning and converting his penalty late in the second half.
Nonetheless, when discussing Wales’ first-half display yesterday, Keane was sure to be critical of James.
“Wales haven’t got started,” said Keane. “But go back to the basics. They have been sloppy in play. They have given away the ball cheaply.
“It’s gone up to James and he’s not got hold of it. You are not giving yourself a breather in the game. You have good options off the bench. Keep your head. But also, somebody say to these players ‘liven up, we need a little bit more. Cut out the sloppiness’.”
DAN JAMES TRYING TO FIND HIS FEET
It wasn’t so long ago that Leeds fans were fuming when a transfer deal fell through for James when they were trying to make a return to the Premier League.
In the end, he did don their colours, but only after a small stint at Manchester United, which didn’t go too well and that same pattern followed him at Elland Road.
James was unlucky last season because the team was hit with so many injuries, it meant he had to play as a striker and he struggled.
It’s not going as planned at Fulham this season and he was just hooked at half-time on his World Cup debut, so he needs some luck from somewhere.
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