da dobrowin： This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
da luck： Jack Harrison is quickly becoming one of Leeds United’s most important players.
This past month he’s been involved in goals almost every time he’s stepped onto the pitch as he’s scored twice and assisted four times in his last six appearances.
In fact, he’s scored twice in his previous two matches, and after scoring just once in his previous 14 it seems as if he’s figured something out in terms of finding the net.
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This may be down to one emerging trait in his game which is allowing him to get into more threatening positions.
Harrison’s differing roles
Marcelo Bielsa has been switching between systems that utilise a three at the back as well as a four at the back, but he’s seemingly comfortable enough in either system to be an effective player.
Last week we looked at how Harrison’s tendency to drop back and receive the ball from deep allowed him to craft his own chances and manipulate defenders, but this week he’s shown another aspect of his game that may lead to him finding the back of the net more often.
Coming inside
A look at the 22-year-old’s heatmap against Blackburn shows that he was consistently making the same types of moves into the opposition area.
Indeed, there is a huge flurry of activity just inside of the opposition’s box, and that shows that Harrison has been coming inside more often.
This will, of course, give him more opportunities to have a look at goal, and after managing four shots against the Rovers and grabbing a goal this new style of play could add another element to United’s attack, especially when you consider their recent striking woes.
Marcelo Bielsa recently admitted that he didn’t like how Helder Costa wasn’t drifting inside like Pablo Hernandez. Funnily enough, he hasn’t listened, but Harrison seemingly has.
This has proved game-changing for him in each of his last two matches where he’s scored.