Peter Crouch makes Jack Harrison claim after Leeds loss

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Peter Crouch has told BT Sport (broadcast on 14/12; 22:14) that Jack Harrison was the only positive he could see from Leeds United’s performance in their defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side endured one of the most disappointing nights since his appointment. City blew them away at the Etihad. And it could have easily been heavier, such was their dominance.

Leeds did occasionally threaten to get on the scoresheet. There were a few glimpses of quality going forward. However, they tended to lack composure when the time came to try and test Ederson.

Plenty of Leeds fans picked out Joe Gelhardt as the one shining light following his introduction at half-time. But when asked to pick out any positives in the wake of Bielsa’s post-match interview – in which, he suggested that there was nothing for the Whites to take – Crouch suggested that one of Gelhardt’s teammates could hold his head higher than most.

He told BT Sport, when asked for positives: “It’s difficult to find them, isn’t it? It was such a difficult thing for [Bielsa] to do, for him to come out when your team’s lost 7-0. It is embarrassing, you can’t deny that.

“Positive-wise, Jack Harrison tried. I felt he didn’t give up, put it that way. But defensively, it was not good enough.”

Jack Harrison bright at times for Leeds, but end product still a concern

There were times when Harrison was in dangerous areas in and around the Manchester City penalty area. He did look lively when running with the ball. And he did show signs that he is continuing to very gradually get back to his best.

But when it came to being in the box, Harrison seemed to make a few poor decisions. He perhaps did not shoot when he had the chance, and occasionally took one too many touches.

Of course, it is impossible to be overly critical of one player over any other. And Crouch is probably right to suggest that Harrison was one of the brighter performers. But there is no question that Leeds are still waiting for the best of Harrison to return after a difficult few months.