OPINION
If many fans were writing off Leeds midfielder Izzy Brown after his cameo against QPR on Tuesday, his display for the Under-23s today proved that was a premature burial.
Leeds fans had been waiting all season for Brown to play for the first-team, but when it finally happened it was perhaps inevitably anti-climactic. Manager Marcelo Bielsa admitted that it was the wrong game to introduce him in – 1-0 down, with Leeds frantically looking for a way back into the game – but Brown looked bereft of confidence.
He didn’t play Friday night but was given another 86 minutes for the Under-23s on Monday and he lifted himself and gave Leeds fans hope that he could yet play a part in their return to the Premier League this season.
He scored, making his tally eight in five games since his comeback and more importantly he was full of running and confidence – almost the opposite of his QPR cameo.
His goal was as much about his skills as the lack of them in the Watford defence, but one thing’s certain, he won’t get that sort of freedom in the Championship.
But it was his all-round game that impressed so much today, and he sprayed some monster passes around the pitch and was head and shoulders above anyone on the opposition team.
We don’t think he’s got any chance of getting in the starting XI for the game against Bristol City on Saturday. If there are no injuries, no bookie would take bets on Bielsa announcing an unchanged line-up for the game.
However, he will make the bench and after today’s performance, we think he’s got a very good chance of being considered as an impact sub in the second-half.