Paul Merson Praises Harry Wilson's Potential for Leeds United

Paul Merson has backed Harry Wilson as a smart piece of business for Leeds United – but warned that the winger’s debut at Nottingham Forest showed there is plenty of work still to do.

Daniel Farke’s side opened their season with a gritty 1-0 win at the City Ground, Anton Stach striking late to snatch all three points on the road and give Leeds the ideal platform for the campaign ahead.

Merson liked the result. The performance? Not so much.

“Great result for Leeds but don't get carried away, it wasn't great,” he said, urging supporters to keep their feet on the ground despite the perfect start on paper.

Wilson, signed on a free transfer after his spell at Fulham, was under particular scrutiny. His dead-ball quality has long been one of his calling cards, and Merson believes that specific weapon could be crucial for a Leeds side that might not cut teams open consistently in open play.

“He did all right, he wasn't great,” Merson said of Wilson’s first outing in a Leeds shirt. “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.”

If Wilson’s display was filed under “steady”, James Trafford’s fell firmly into the “statement” category.

The goalkeeper, brought in for a substantial fee from Manchester City in the summer, marked his league debut for Leeds with a clean sheet, exuding the sort of calm that instantly settles a back line and travels quickly into the stands.

“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.”

Trafford was not the only new face to catch the eye. Tarik Muharemovic also made his debut, part of a clutch of fresh arrivals Farke has been tasked with bedding in quickly as Leeds look to build momentum.

The German head coach was pleased with what he saw from his newcomers in a testing away fixture.

“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.”

One game in, the mood around Elland Road is upbeat, the table looks healthy, and the new signings have already started to show why they were brought in. The challenge now is simple: can Leeds turn a hard-fought opening win and a handful of promising debuts into something more lasting?