Harry Wilson's Impact on Leeds United's Season
Paul Merson has backed Harry Wilson as a smart piece of business for Leeds United – but warned nobody should be getting carried away by his low-key debut or the opening-day win.
Leeds edged past Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground thanks to Anton Stach’s late strike, the perfect result if not the perfect performance for Daniel Farke’s side as they launched their campaign with three points on the road.
Merson, watching on, liked the outcome. The display? Less so.
“Great result for Leeds but don’t get carried away, it wasn’t great,” he said, stressing that the performance still left “plenty to be desired” despite the scoreline.
Wilson’s quiet start, but a weapon from dead balls
Wilson arrived at Elland Road on a free after impressing at Fulham, and Merson sees that as exactly the kind of deal Leeds should be making. The winger’s set-piece quality, he believes, will be crucial for a team that may not slice opponents open at will.
“He did all right, he wasn’t great,” Merson said of Wilson’s debut.
“A couple of good balls in, he scored a goal that was offside. He did all right for his debut. First real game. I think he’s a good signing for them, anybody on a free is a good signing. Because I don’t see them opening up teams every week, and I think you need that set play.”
It was a measured verdict: nothing spectacular from Wilson on the day, but enough to hint at why Leeds moved for him and how his delivery could become a recurring theme this season.
Trafford makes his mark
If Wilson’s first outing was steady, James Trafford’s was far more eye-catching.
The goalkeeper, a big-money summer arrival from Manchester City, marked his Leeds league debut with a clean sheet and a performance that instantly won Merson over.
“I think Trafford, big fan of Trafford, thought he had that composure, he’s got confidence about him, comes out for balls at the right time, didn’t look panicky,” Merson said.
“What a bonus for Leeds, you always need a good goalkeeper, he’ll save you points, made a couple of good saves today, just when the pressure was on he’d come out, collect the ball, no dramas. Just done what it said on the tin.”
Commanding under pressure, calm with crosses, and decisive in big moments – Trafford offered Leeds exactly what they needed as Forest pushed late on.
Farke delighted with debutants
Inside the Leeds camp, the mood was understandably brighter. Farke praised all of his new faces, including Tarik Muharemovic, who also made his debut at the City Ground.
“I am very happy because they have big boots to fill,” Farke said.
“Trafford is a good player but he hasn’t played that many Premier League games, Tarik too. So they both shined and showed why we agreed to sign them, but the whole group was excellent today.
“Wilson too was excellent. The vibe and mood is good around the place.”
So Leeds leave Nottingham with three points, a clean sheet and early signs that their summer business might be on the right track. The question now is simple: can Farke turn this solid, unspectacular start into something that lasts when the real grind of the season begins?
