Amitai Winehouse (@awinehouse1)
The appointment of Neil Redfearn as head coach at Elland Road guarantees the fact that the already well worn route between the academy and the first team will become even easier to traverse.
Redfearn has become something of an expert in developing young stars blessed with incredible technical ability, with the likes of Lewis Cook, Alex Mowatt and Sam Byram already imposing themselves on the first team and demonstrating their ability as players.
The hottest prospect in recent years has, however, failed to integrate into the first team due to a series of unfortunate circumstances.
The majority of Leeds fans have heard the name Chris Dawson for a long period of time, but many will have only been granted one real opportunity to watch him play, against Derby County under Neil Warnock.
During that game, thrown in from the start, Dawson was bullied but showed flashes of brilliance.
Since then, however, a series of injuries have limited his ability to impose himself on the first team, and it has looked as though Dawson would fall by the wayside.
However, he appeared again on Saturday, coming on against Cardiff.
His involvement paid dividends, with Leeds offering far more going forward than with Steve Morison on the pitch.
Dawson was effective in the attacking midfield role, carving out opportunities for himself and other players in the side.
His dash past a Cardiff defender symbolised what it is he can do on the pitch.
For those who follow the Under-21s, however, it is unsurprising that Dawson has developed even further.
Despite being small, he has an ability to drive forward on the pitch and play important passes.
Former teammate Paul Connolly called him the “Yorkshire Messi” on Twitter after the game.
I knew Redders would involve Chris Dawson straight away. What a player. The Yorkshire messi. Best young lad I’ve ever trained with.
— Paul Connolly (@AislPablo) November 1, 2014
It’s an oft used comparison, and while Dawson will likely never be that standard of player, it shows the extent to which those who have trained with him were impressed by him.
Adryan was unavailable for the game at the weekend, and it is still not guaranteed that he will be fit tonight – if this is the case, Dawson has to be used in the place of Morison.
He fits the system better, as having someone in the hole allows Mirco Antenucci and Souleymane Doukara to play up front rather than out wide as they did on Saturday.
He can also link well with Lewis Cook and Alex Mowatt, both of whom he has played with at youth level before.
It would therefore not be a surprise to see Redfearn turn to another youth charge to get the result tonight.
