Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink slams Leeds United winger Jack Harrison

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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink launched a scathing attack on Leeds United winger Jack Harrison after his performance in Saturday’s defeat at Nottingham Forest (Sky Sports Football, 08/02; 17:10).

The on-loan Manchester City man dallied in possession in stoppage time, allowing Joe Lolley to dispossess him and set up Tyler Walker to give the Reds an unassailable advantage.

Harrison has been a reliable performer this season for the Whites. During the 2019/20 campaign, he has scored five goals and registered six assists for Marcelo Bielsa’s team.

Former Whites striker Hasselbaink wasn’t impressed, however, launching a stinging attack on the winger in his role as a pundit on Sky Sports.

He was fuming that Harrison didn’t stick to basics in stoppage time and allow Leeds to enjoy one last assault at the Forest goal.

He told Sky Sports Football (08/02; 17:10): “Normally they do the simple things really well, that’s why they are so effective.

“This is just a hook, a simple hook it back. Why do you have to bring it down? I have no idea.

“It’s two vs one and Joe Lolley takes it off him. You just have to play it simple and put it back, it’s the last 30 seconds of the game.”

Leeds have now lost four of their last five Championship games and look like blowing automatic promotion for the second season running.

Blast

Hasselbaink wasn’t impressed and doesn’t think Harrison’s below-par efforts ended with his calamitous stoppage time decision.

He continued: “The whole game he was making silly, silly decisions that weren’t coming off. Other players as well, it was a Leeds I don’t recognise at all.”

The 23-year-old hasn’t contributed a goal or assist since a win over Birmingham in December.

It’s fair to say this form has wavered in that sense and Leeds could desperately do with a return to his very best.

It seems clear that Hasselbaink, as a former Elland Road favourite, is clearly still very passionate about the club.

He, like many supporters, must be starting to fear that Leeds will blow their promotion chances once again.

Last season, the Whites raced out of the blocks and suffered a similar collapse during the second half of the campaign.

A sense of deja vu is hanging over Elland Road and with games against Brentford and Bristol City to come, the next week or so looks crucial.

Harrison is valued at £20 million by City, according to The Sun, and Leeds supporters will hope a return to form isn’t too far away.