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da betsul： This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Leeds crashed out of the League Cup on Tuesday night but they didn’t go down without a fight against Stoke.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men fought back from two goals down before taking the match to penalties.
However, they were eventually beaten 5-4 after Jack Harrison missed his effort from 12 yards.
The Whites defeated the same opposition just a matter of days ago but after making a number of changes which saw the likes of Mateusz Bogusz and Alfie McCalmont receive first starts, they were beaten.
On the chalkboard
Heading into the break at 2-0 down, Leeds were in a spot of bother and looked nervous at the back whilst creating little in forward areas as they conceded and failed to score themselves.
Their left side was virtually non-existent as Jack Clarke was lacking in quality in what was only his second start of the campaign.
The 5 foot 11 winger hasn’t been granted much of a chance after rejoining on loan from Tottenham, almost making his switch back to Elland Road rather pointless.
He hasn’t appeared in the League whilst he was restricted to playing at wing-back against Salford earlier this month.
On this occasion, though, he was back in a more attacking role but again struggled to make an impact, being substituted at half time.
Considering Leeds went out, his chances of attaining regular minutes will now take an even greater hit.
The Yorkshire side can only pick five loan players in a given matchday squad and considering they have six, this is a large issue for Clarke, especially after his showing against Stoke.
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It was a display which earned criticism from various quarters, including Graham Smyth of Yorkshire Evening Post.
He gave the teenager a match rating of five for his display, explaining how he failed to show what he was about.
Noel Whelan also analysed him, telling BBC Radio Leeds (27/08, 10pm onwards): “I was expecting a lot more from him, and he’d probably admit the same as well that it’s not his normal performance. But he does look like he’s in need of games and minutes.”
And indeed, Clarke is in dire need of more action. He only started four times in the League last season but he’s in real danger of not achieving any chances now.
His play and the critics he received for his performance only goes to show what a great opportunity he missed on Tuesday evening.
Against Championship opposition, this was an ideal time to display what he could do but he failed to take it.
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