Leeds United fans have taken to Twitter to express their anger towards home-grown starlet Jack Clarke.
The youngster featured for United’s U23s against Bristol City on Sunday afternoon, but could do little to affect the game in a 0-0 stalemate.
But it was not his performance that angered fans, as much as his attitude.
Despite being in front of manager Marcelo Bielsa, who was in attendance, Clarke seemed to put in a lacklustre and slightly disinterested performance, that came to the boil when he was taken off for Nial Huggins late in the game.
Leaving the pitch without even acknowledging his colleague, Clarke’s reaction to the substitution was enough to attract the ire of many United fans.
Here are some of the best tweets from fans.
https://twitter.com/vegansmithsfan/status/1168177614667882498?s=20
He's 18 and turns 19 in November. He's not a kid anymore. Unacceptable.
— Nathan (@hank_lufc) September 1, 2019
It was just like watching the first team. Why did we get Jack Clarke back? He had 3 decent games last season. Nothing since.
— BewlayBros. (@TonyMitchell) September 1, 2019
Clarke, of course, sealed a relatively big money move to Tottenham over the summer, but ever since that deal went through and he returned to Leeds on loan, he hasn’t looked like the same player.
Two Carabao Cup outings have both ended in him being taken off, and as of yet, Bielsa has not seen fit to include him in any senior Championship action.
Given the precociousness he showed last season, you have to wonder what has changed.
Per 90 minutes, Clarke averaged two shots, three successful dribbles, and 1.9 key passes per game, as per Whoscored.
Admittedly, he only started four matches, making 20 substitute appearances as well, but even if he was unproven as a starting option, you would expect Bielsa to keep faith in such a promising and impactful young player.
Jack clarke doesnt buck up his ideas hel not even be making the u23s.. too arrogant for my liking
— Ruairi Quinn (@J1mmylufc) September 1, 2019
So, what has changed?
It’s difficult to say without being behind the scenes at the club every day, of course, but Clarke did take ill with a virus against Middlesbrough last season, as reported by the BBC, and never really managed to recapture the form that he showed before that upset.
Is he still trying to shake off the rust of that interruption, or is his head elsewhere ever since he sealed his move to a Champions League side?
Only he, and maybe Bielsa, will know for sure, but one thing is certain, if he doesn’t start performing soon, he will not feature for United, and he will seriously damage his chances of making an immediate impact at Spurs next term too.
Bogusz loves a shot, McCalmont and Gotts are quality and Clarke still doesn’t seem happy #lufc
— Ryan (@RPlufc93) September 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/daveytom66/status/1168174963611918339?s=20