The Whites have been missing the services of hitman Patrick Bamford for the majority of this season, owing to niggling injury issues, which has forced boss Bielsa to turn to alternative options.
Bielsa has played the likes of wingers James and Jack Harrison out of position as a striker, while starlet Gelhardt has also had minutes up front.
Ex-Leeds man Dorigo is of the view that James’ natural game does not suit him in a number 9 role, although he has been Bielsa’s top choice as an alternative striker.
Dorigo added that he would like to see Gelhardt being given more opportunities to lead the line over James, even though the Welshman has given his all when asked to step up as Bamford’s replacement.
“Clearly Marcelo Bielsa favours Daniel James up top and, although I think he does a fantastic job, his work-rate is superb and there are so many great things about his game, that No 9 role is about being in the right positions at the right time in and around the box and sticking it in the back of the net”, Dorigo wrote in his Yorkshire Evening Post column.
“That isn’t James’ natural game, which is where the question marks come up.
“I look back at how Joe Gelhardt played against Tottenham and thought ‘okay he needs more minutes’ but he got fewer, had a little injury and what have you, so I’d like to see him involved a little bit more.
“Experience means a lot as well but I think we’ve seen enough to suggest an out-and-out No 9 is what we’re missing.”
A small fitness issues prevented Bielsa giving Gelhardt more game time in recent outings and it remains to be seen whether he will move up the pecking order in the upcoming games, with a timeline yet to be established on when Bamford will return to the pitch.
