‘He doesn’t get enough credit, whenever he plays, the player in front of him always has a good game.”- Ross McCormack says Leeds defender doesn’t get enough credit for his performances so far this season
Ross McCormack has suggested that Sam Byram probably does not get the credit he deserves after his performance for Leeds United in their win over Huddersfield Town on Saturday, insisting that he always makes the winger in front of him look better too.
McCormack was speaking on BBC Radio Leeds after a dominant first-half display saw Daniel Farke’s side secure a 4-1 victory at Elland Road.
Sam Byram has proved to be an inspired signing for the Whites. It is surely fair to say that there was little excitement when reports emerged suggesting Byram was training with Leeds in the summer.
But he has been superb this season. And the 30-year-old produced another outstanding display against Huddersfield.
He made more key passes than any other player on the pitch, according to Whoscored. Meanwhile, Pascal Struijk was the only Leeds player to win more aerial duels. And that is particularly remarkable when you think that Byram was replaced after an hour.
Ross McCormack obviously played alongside Byram during his time at Leeds. And he suggested that he has often felt that the full-back goes under the radar.
“Even when he broke through here, I thought that the winger in front of him seemed to have a decent game as well. I just think he offers a lot more than what people give him credit for,, he doesn’t get enough credit” he told BBC Radio Leeds.
“When he got brought back to the club, people were like: ‘he’s not going to play. He didn’t play much for Norwich’. But he’s been brought back because Daniel Farke trusts him. He knows what he’s going to get.
“And just for me looking at the game, every game I’ve seen this season when Sam plays, the winger in front of him has a good game. And that’s no coincidence. He knows when to overlap at the right time, he knows when to leave people one vs one. Yeah I just think he’s a far better player than what he gets credit for.”
Full-back has shut so many of us up
Had Leeds fans been told before the summer that Byram would end up re-signing on a free transfer, they would have been forgiven for feeling incredibly deflated.
But Byram has proved so many of us wrong. He has done brilliantly in the left-back position. And so far, he has barely missed a minute due to fitness issues.
Leeds are still not getting carried away. Farke noted in his press conference this week that they are making sure to closely manage Byram’s minutes. But he is passing every single test right now.
McCormack may feel that Byram’s contribution often goes under the radar. But certainly, he is doing all he can to silence any remaining doubters.
