Watford’s hearts must have sunk when they saw the teamsheet for the Leeds Under-23s last night.
Manager Carlos Corberan named a very strong line-up containing first-team players Gaetano Berardi, Barry Douglas and Eddie Nketiah, with Luke Ayling and Tyler Roberts on the bench.
And his side duly ripped the Watford Under-23s apart, thumping them 6-0 in a game that could have been even worse for the visitors to Elland Road.
Leeds were rampant and while Nketiah bagged a brace, it was 19-year-old Robbie Gotts who turned heads among fans.
He scored a brilliant goal after an assist from Ayling, who was making his return for the first time since ankle surgery in the summer.
Ayling scored as well in front of Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road and the Leeds manager could have a full squad to choose from for the weekend game against Derby.
Last night was all about Gotts for these fans, though – here are the best reactions on Twitter:
Robbie Gotts makes it 5-0. #LUFC https://t.co/SIKtjQM5lT
— ??ss ???????????????? (@SportsJourno1_) September 16, 2019
Gotts’ goal was brilliant and it all came from returning right-back Luke Ayling. He picked up the ball on the halfway line and showed he was full of running, passing the ball, continuing his run and then cutting it back for Gotts in the box. The finish – Leeds’ fifth goal on the night – was smart from the young 19-year-old.
Can gotts be as good as shackleton? He's quick, strong, scores goals and has a brilliant touch. I really rate him@RobbieGotts
— Chris Hall (@Chrislufc87) September 16, 2019
One Leeds fan compared Gotts to Jamie Shackleton, another Under-23 player who’s broken through into Marcelo Bielsa’s first-team recently. Shackleton started in place of the injured Adam Forshaw on Sunday in the 2-0 win against Barnsley, and this fan said Gotts was “quick, strong, scores goals and has a brilliant touch. I really rate him.”
Casey also only 18 I believe + Gotts Strujik Bogutz all look first team squad ready Meslier never had to use his hands tonight & Keneh who's also only 16 looks as good as Woodgate did at that age future very bright at #LUFC
— Leeds Fan in Chicago (@ChicagoWhite) September 16, 2019
Another fan said “future very bright at #LUFC” and this is one of the most impressive parts of the Bielsa regime. There is great synergy between the Under-23s and the first-team squad and chances for all the youngsters to move across. Bielsa is looking for promotion now but has one eye on the long-term future of Leeds.
Gotts pick of quite an excellent bunch of performances tonight. Mckinstry looks good. If he’s that good now at 16 he might make an impact deep in the season #lufc
— mathew hibbert ???????? (@matteohib94) September 16, 2019
How good was that? Yes we had 6 first teamers but Casey, Pasc, McKinstry, Gotts all first class. Loved every minute of that, onto Friday against Hull. #LUFC #LUTV
— Thomas Hill (@Hilly15) September 16, 2019
Really good performance tonight from CCs U23s. Gotts was excellent but entire 14 were good & could have had 8 or 9. Stuart McKinstry was impressive.Hard to believe he’s just 16. Good comeback from Roberts & Ayling so all good #lufc #MOT #U23s
— Marc F ???????? (@billywigwam13) September 16, 2019
Must have been impressed by Gotts #lufc https://t.co/1vsBY3FOhB
— Ryan (@RPlufc93) September 16, 2019
Bielsa was sitting watching from the stands, as usual, and one fan said he must have been impressed with what he saw from Gotts. The youngster must have already impressed as he’s been a regular on the bench for Bielsa, making the cut three times in the Championship already this season.
Well they saved the goals up in the two 0-0s beforehand! Superb from the U23s, Gotts and Struijk absolutely brilliant. The amount Corberan is learning from Bielsa is so encouraging, for the academy lads and no doubt the first team in the future. Eddie with yet more goals ????#lufc pic.twitter.com/gTlROTWiW9
— Jack Douglas (@JDouglasSport) September 16, 2019
6-0 and even Ayling bags one. Gotts my MOTM – reminds me of Lee Bowyer, just everywhere.#lufc
— Richard Walker (@richleedsuk) September 16, 2019
Final word goes to the fan who said Gotts was his man-of-the-match and compared him to former Leeds midfielder Lee Bowyer, who made 246 appearances for the club, scoring 50 goals. That’s some praise for the 19-year-old who looks like he’s got a bright future ahead of him.