When Leeds United announced that Harry Gray had left Elland Road in January, it came as a bit of a surprise. No one at the club really expected him to move this season.
He started the campaign training with the first team under Daniel Farke. The Leeds boss was adamant that Gray needed time and patience to develop before being a regular in the first team. So he was involved with the matchday squads while playing with the U18s and U21s.
So when the news came that he had pushed for a loan switch to Rotherham in League One, there were mixed sentiments. Some fans felt it was too early, while others thought this move was exactly what was needed.
Rotherham hire new boss during relegation scrap
Harry Gray had a flying start, scoring twice in his first four league games at the club. It sparked a lot of interest from the Leeds faithful who had been waiting for their youngster to shine. Since February, life has not been great for the youngster as he has failed to find the back of the net in eight games. This coincides with Rotherham having lost five of their last eight games in the league.
| Stat | First 4 Games | Last 8 Games |
|---|---|---|
| Starts | 4 | 8 |
| Goals | 2 | 0 |
| Shots | 5 | 19 |
On Wednesday, the club decided to sack Matt Hamshaw, and hire former Sunderland player Lee Clark. Rotherham are currently in the relegation zone, six points away from safety with nine games to go.
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Harry Gray could be under pressure to impress
The young striker is struggling to find his scoring boots over the last few months – he has taken 19 shots in the league without scoring. Gray is young and will learn to be a better player, but this is a very tough time for him. And with a new manager on board, the pressure could increase. Lee Clark comes in to guide the club to safety, and will make any decisions he sees fit to guarantee that – which could mean benching a misfiring Harry Gray. His loan deal could end on a sour note if the new boss decides to try another player up front, with the club needing crucial points. Hopefully Gray rides this form and starts scoring again towards the end of the season.
| Competition | Games Played | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| League One | 12 | 2 | 0 |
| Football League Trophy | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| National League Cup | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Premier League 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Total | 19 | 10 | 1 |
