Bradford City loan can help Bryce Hosannah hit the heights at Leeds United

After a good grounding at his parent club, Hosannah has joined City on a season-long loan for the next stage in his development.

The full-back is grateful for having learnt from ‘great pro’s’ who play in his position such as Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas and while he is still a distance away from Bielsa’s first-team plans, Leeds are watching.

Hosannah, who made his debut in Tuesday’s EFL Trophy home game with Wolves Under-21s, said: “I know there were some people from Leeds at the game the other night. They are looking out for me and how I do, which is good.

“I am sure there will be Leeds fans watching me (on Monday) and it is a Yorkshire derby as well, so there should be quite a bit of interest. That will be good for the club as well.”

On input from the likes of Ayling and Dallas in his time at Leeds, he added: “They are great pros and good guys as well. When you are with them, they are easy to speak to and have shown they have got the capabilities of playing in the Premier League as well. You can see that from the first few games and I am happy that they are doing really well.”

Realistic enough to know that he must get some first-team experience on his back to boost his chances of further progress at Leeds, Hosannah understands the importance of getting out of his comfort zone.

Now 21 and no longer a ‘kid’, he is keen to strike out on his own and test himself in men’s football away from the relatively cosseted Under-23s environment.

The Londoner added: “I am at the age now where it is better to go on loan and get some minutes rather than just be in and around the squad or in the (under) 23s.

“I have got used to the same thing for the past few years and then coming to Bradford, it is all completely different.

“I thought from last year that I was ready to go out on loan. But at that time I felt there could have been an opportunity to break in at Leeds.

“But then going into the summer and pre-season this year, I definitely thought it was right to go on loan.

“Not just anywhere, I needed to go to the right place. When the interest from Bradford came, I thought it would be a good place to develop.”

They may be different characters, but Bielsa and Bradford chief Stuart McCall’s adherence to positive front-foot football and allowing players to express themselves is not.

On life working under McCall, Hosannah commented: “He is different, but the gaffer is really good. He is so involved with the players at Bradford compared to what I have been used to.

“There is more distance between Bielsa and the players at Leeds. He (McCall) is really involved, jokey and a great guy. I’ve enjoyed it with him so far.

“Having a good relationship with the manager can only help players perform on the pitch.

“Playing for someone that you want to play for makes you work harder.”

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James Mitchinson