THE VERDICT: LEEDS 2 TOWN 0 Lewis the bright spark as Terriers outclassed
TOWN RATED BITTER RIVALS WORTHY WINNERS BUT TOWN SHOW PLENTY OF FIGHT WITH O’BRIEN AT THEIR HEART
No chance with the goals and made some fine saves along the way in tough defeat at a very good side.
THERE’S been much talk about the influence of Arsenal teen loan man Emile Smith Rowe on Town and rightly so.
But Danny Cowley has another ace in his pack who already seems likely to be an automatic midfield pick for years to come.
Even in defeat at Leeds United, where a stunning third-minute volley from Luke Ayling and a Patrick Bamford poach proved the difference, the 21-year-old
Lewis O’Brien was at the very heart of everything that was impressive in Town’s performance.
A year ago, the Town Academy product was playing at the bottom of League One with Bradford City and learning week by week in a tough school where relegation was the outcome.
That first career loan has proved invaluable as O’Brien has stepped up to the Championship without batting an eye.
Boss Cowley says you only have to tell him something once and you can rely on him to repeat it game after game – and Town are coming to rely on him big style, especially with Jonathan Hogg out suffering a knee ligament injury.
Against the team Cowley describes as the best in the Championship, O’Brien was again prominent alongside Chelsea loan man Trevoh Chalobah, who didn’t shirk from his duties in the heat of battle at Elland Road.
No wonder Town were keen to tie O’Brien to a deal until 2022 – and add in the option of a club extension for a further year.
It looks a very wise move right now, even with Town still needing to keep their heads above the relegation water line.
They still have work to do, but with O’Brien flourishing alongside Cowley’s new signings – Richard Stearman was superb at the back – they should have enough in the tank, even with a crunch game against Wigan Athletic next on the agenda.
It was no surprise Cowley
Meslier, Ayling, Berardi, Cooper, Dallas, White, Helder Costa, Hernandez, Klich (Shackleton 83), Harrison (Alioski 90+3), Bamford (Roberts 79)
Not used: Douglas, Caprile, Struijk, Casey
named an unchanged line-up from the one which beat Charlton Athletic 4-0 last time out.
The only change was on the bench, where Leicester City loanee Andy King replaced the fit again Collin Quaner. It took Leeds just over two minutes to take the initiative, with a fantastic volleyed strike from Ayling.
The build-up was swift, neat and effective down Leeds left, with Willock failing to track back as Jack Harrison pressed forward. When his cross fell deep