James’ frightening speed has always made him a dangerous player.
Or “menacing” as Bellamy once described him, having been without him for the first four games of his unbeaten start to life as Wales manager in the successful Nations League campaign.
But there is more to James’ game now. A hardened mindset has seemingly brought a sharper edge – and, to use an adjective James repeatedly used about his improvements – a more “ruthless” player.
“As a winger I want to be as direct as possible, not turning things down,” he says of what’s changed, besides staying injury-free.
“Sometimes I look back at games and I’ve been quite safe. That might look good from the outside, keeping the ball, but ultimately I’m in the team to try and create things. That constant mindset of ‘can I get a goal or an assist?’ – and believing that.
“And when you do give the ball away, it’s so important the reaction is to want it again.
“You might get tackled nine times out of ten but it’s about that tenth time where something will happen, and I’m trying to keep that mindset.”
It’s been noticed. Leeds fans have found a new hero, James stepping into the space left when Crysencio Summerville moved to West Ham United last summer.
“There’s definitely a difference this season,” says Newsome, a co-commentator with BBC Radio Leeds.
“His final ball and end product is a lot better. He realises his assets – like that pace – and uses them to their best at every opportunity, but there’s a maturity to his play.
“There’s the responsibility of being an older player now, and suddenly the main man and coping with the expectation.
“The Leeds shirt can be heavy to wear at times, and it’s too much for some. He’s flourished.”
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