Since he was raised in an Elland Road furniture family and is now a member of the fan base, the 18-year-old does not currently require a window into their minds. Leeds in Gray is a rock-solid character who occasionally shows its true colors, partly due to his background. This season, the young player has faced opponents head-on several times, including on Saturday after Kyle McFadzean blocked a play off the ball. He was as ecstatic as any of the fans flailing their arms in the stands when he celebrated his goal against Leicester before it was taken away from him.
He displayed Leeds’ self-deprecation on stage at the EFL Awards on Sunday night as he talked about the goal that was taken away from him. “I’m glad I didn’t celebrate it too much because I could have looked like a fool.” And since the team’s unbeaten streak has ended and the season is drawing to a close, Gray, one of the Leeds natives in the locker room, has experienced the feelings that are flowing forth. As a match-going supporter, Gray used to be able to let his emotions run wild at the first hint of positive on the pitch or wallow in the countless times that hope was dashed, but now days he is unable to follow Elland Road’s emotional current.
Consistency in disposition and behavior is a fundamental aspect of Daniel Farke’s managerial style. No matter the highs or lows he has reached in his first Leeds United season, no matter the injustice he feels officials have done to him, he has never once spoken about Leeds United in a tone different than his typical one. And that’s what he wants to be, and what he wants his side to be, so that the emotional energy of the team doesn’t fluctuate.
Georginio Rutter was questioned about the atmosphere in the locker room during that amazing winning run earlier in the season. “We didn’t change anything, it was like this at the beginning, just the same,” he continued. “Boxing Day was a little challenging because we weren’t feeling well, but I didn’t see anyone looking as serious. No, we maintained our focus because we were aware of our options. It’s incredible that we were 16 points [behind] after Boxing Day and are now only six. The atmosphere is excellent, in my opinion, and it hasn’t altered.
