Rotherham United manager Matt Hamshaw explains how new role is helping Leeds United's Harry Gray
Rotherham United manager Matt Hamshaw has explained how a change of role is helping on-loan Leeds United prodigy Harry Gray.
The 17-year-old arrived at the New York Stadium in January with a reputation as one of England’s most promising young attackers.
He has excelled for both Leeds and the Three Lions at youth level, sparking hope he can emulate the ascent of his older brother Archie.
A relegation battle in League One is not only getting Gray acclimatised to senior football, it is making him a more versatile player.
A natural forward, Gray has been shifted out to the left flank of late. He completed 90 minutes in Rotherham’s 1-0 win over Plymouth Argyle at the weekend, causing problems for the Pilgrims by cutting in on his right foot.
Matt Hamshaw explains role change
“Harry can play in a number of roles,” Hamshaw told The Yorkshire Post after the much-needed win. “I just feel at this minute like [playing on the] left [and] coming inside is helping him a little bit.
“We're simplifying it a little bit. Sometimes, he's been through the middle, where big centre-halves just want to kick him.
“But I think he's getting that space on switches and transitions. He's rolling inside and you've got [Duncan] Watmore and [Sam] Nombe and I thought Ar’jany [Martha] had probably his best game in ages today.”
Rotherham United looking to turn the tide
Gray could again find himself out on the left when Rotherham host Mansfield Town tomorrow (March 3).
The Millers are fighting for their lives in the third tier and will need to prove Saturday’s result was not merely a flash in the pan.
“I just think these last three performances have shown the grit and desire within the group,” said Hamshaw. “I think that's important.
“It's easy me telling them that the performances are good and not winning, I've also been on the side of that as a player. That psychological balance, between that and winning a game, is huge.
“But we can control the controllables, that's all I spoke about. I felt like today, and at Bradford and against Doncaster, we did.
“Individual mistakes have cost us these last two games and it's no surprise to me that we haven't made any today and we've won a game of football.”