Leeds United talent Harry Gray has been tasked with helping Rotherham United’s lacklustre attack survive relegation from League One.
It was a largely quiet January window for Leeds, but one deal to watch was Harry Gray being sent out on loan for his first meaningful senior opportunities.
He joined League One strugglers Rotherham United. Despite a swift uptick in results coinciding with Gray’s first senior goals, reality of the relegation dogfight has now set in.
Harry Gray and Rotherham United slump to five points adrift after Bradford City defeat
The Millers enjoyed back-to-back wins against Northampton Town and Exeter City with goals from Gray helping Matt Hamshaw pick up priceless results.
Since then, they’ve lost four on the spin in League One. Their two most recent defeats were inflicted in Yorkshire derbies, losing to Doncaster Rovers at home on Saturday, and then away to Bradford City on Tuesday night.
Former Leeds man Matthew Pennington’s 10th-minute header proved the difference as the Bantams ran out 1-0 winners at Valley Parade.
An instant response almost followed from Gray. Connecting brilliantly with Josh Benson, Gray burst into the penalty area, only for his shot to be deflected behind by goalscorer Pennington.
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Daniel Farke has consistently reiterated that he and the club are happy to let loan players crack on at their temporary clubs. Although, the club are sure to be closely monitoring Gray’s development.
This stint was always going to be tough, knowing where Rotherham were when he joined. His flashes of quality are there to see. But, the Yorkshire Post’s review of his 6/10 performance paint a bleak picture.
“Denied by a saving challenge early on. Did not get too much change out of Pennington or see too much of the ball,” Leon Wobschall writes.
We know he’s going to develop and get used to the rough and tumble of the men’s game with this spell at the bottom end of League One. However, any hopes that he’d sharpen his attacking talents with consistent supply look misplaced.
Rotherham stats in League OneAverage possession21stGoals per game22ndShots on target per game21stxG created23rdTouches in opposition box23rdPossession won in final third22nd
Entrusting the teenager with Rotherham’s relegation scrap seemed a big ask, just ask their fanbase. Even though we’re going to see him progress regardless, it might be a case that he’ll struggle to make a regular impression in the final third.
In Rotherham’s 14 remaining games, they face five bottom-half sides. Should Gray fancy his chances of dragging the Millers out of the mire, they might be the fixtures to impress in.
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