OPINION
Leeds United received a much-needed confidence boost with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Rotherham on Saturday, but there was one player who was surprisingly a bar below the rest.
That player is winger Jack Clarke, who unfortunately could not live up to the hype that has linked him with a move to a club in the Premier League.
Far from his usual, sparky nature, the 18-year-old was a shadow of himself compared to his performances in recent weeks, and this should be of major concern to manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Clarke is a player who normally makes a huge impact on the Whites’ attacking threat, so it was no wonder he was tipped for bigger things at such a young age.
However, against Rotherham at the New York Stadium on Saturday, it was his inexperience and slight physical frame that really showed – suddenly, fans begun to realise that he is still a player in his teenage years.
He was bullied by the likes of Joe Mattock, then Billy Jones when he switched flanks – overall, the youngster doubted himself too much, and it really showed.
Even the most simple of passes he was unable to control properly, which was pretty much the icing on the cake for a dismal afternoon for the bright prospect.
Bielsa must take action as soon as possible, and this must be that he ruthlessly swings the axe on Clarke to teach him a lesson – after all, he cannot have players making naive mistakes like Clarke did on Saturday.
It may seem harsh after the effort he has put in over the course of the season – after all, he is only 18 – but in such an important season for Leeds, the boss needs everyone on their A-game.
Clarke was just not good enough on Saturday, and there are clearly better days ahead for him this season.