OPINION
Leeds United’s performance on Tuesday night against Reading was so good that the majority of fans would have likely forgotten that they still had Jack Clarke to return from injury.
The Whites blitzed Reading in a 3-0 win but quite frankly it could and should have been more at the Madjeski Stadium, the likes of Pablo Hernandez, Patrick Bamford and Jack Harrison causing the home side all sorts of problems from start to finish.
It was one of those games where Leeds were near to, if not at their best and it is performances like these which have many tipping them not only for promotion but for the Championship title.
Of course Clarke had been a regular in that side and has established himself as a firm fan favourite with his explosive performances on the wing, with a mysterious illness having seen him sidelined in recent weeks.
Speaking of his teenage star, Marcelo Bielsa, as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Phil Hay, revealed that a place in the first team has been thrown up in the air, with no certainty over whether the winger will play against Sheffield United on Saturday in one of the most important games of the season.
Bielsa yet to decide whether Jack Clarke will be involved on Saturday. Played for the U23s yesterday. U23s have a cup game on Thursday. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) March 12, 2019
After watching his teammates blow Reading aside, Clarke himself must be tearing his hair out over his immediate future in the team, regardless of how good he himself has been.
Who are you going to axe from that side? Hernandez? Not a chance. Harrison? Not based on Tuesday’s display. Tyler Roberts? Perhaps, but do you then push Hernandez from out wide into the middle?
The fact of the matter is that Leeds are playing too well to shake things up and Bielsa, a man who sticks to a winning side, will know that all too well.
Clarke faces a battle to come back into this side and there is no guarantee he will be able to regain his place – having been so impressive, it will no doubt leave him very frustrated.