When you are a youngster at a big club, talent often takes a while to shine through. There’s so much glimmering ahead of a young player that often they need to shine elsewhere.
That’s the story, in part, of Leeds United’s young striker Mallik Wilks. Ahead of him in the pecking order at Elland Road are the likes of Patrick Bamford and Kemar Roofe, with Wilks having to also arm-wrestle against the likes of fellow youngsters Sam Dalby and Ryan Edmondson.
As such, with the pathway to the first-team was laden with obstacles and Wilks has found himself out on loan at League One Doncaster Rovers – a loan deal that will stretch to an initial six-month deal.
It is the youngster’s chance to shine as he looks to remind Leeds United just what they are missing. It is a chance that the youngster is grasping with both hands. Concerted pressure from Rovers allowed them to take command of the second-half, a half where they registered three goals (below).
The first of these was scored by Wilks, a peach of a right-footed shot from around 20 yards out. His goal, and general performance across the whole match didn’t go unnoticed by Doncaster Rovers fans, fans who where quick to congratulate him and reward him with the Man-of-the-Match award.
📊 MOTM | With 56% of the voting you have chosen @MallikWilks as your Twitter Man of the Match following his goal-scoring performance in our 3-0 victory over @wwfcofficial in @SkyBetLeagueOne #DRFC #DONWYC pic.twitter.com/vKBKSi5Oqm
— Doncaster Rovers FC (@drfc_official) August 12, 2018
His display yesterday also didn’t go unnoticed amongst both Doncaster Rovers and Leeds United fans as the powerful youngster netted for his second game in succession for his South Yorkshire loan side. Here’s what the fans of both clubs have been saying over on Twitter:
Doncaster Rovers fans
@gardsmeister one hell of a talent you have in Malik Wilks pal Leeds fans are in for a treat when he goes back
— Matty Banks (@MattyBanksDRFC) August 11, 2018
Right, I’m not going to get carried away just yet but football we played at times in that second half was quality. Marquis and Wilks could become dangerous together #drfc
— Adam Cox (@adamcox_96) August 11, 2018
Wilks was a menace throughout the game just as he was last week. Two in two for him and Marquis now, just what you need in attack. #DRFC
— Into The Empty Net (@DRFC_ITEN) August 11, 2018
Walk out of work and hear the Keepmoat erupt. Get in Malik Wilks!! @drfc_official
— Joe (@joee1703) August 11, 2018
Mallik wilks is doing bits in league 1 #drfc
— Bainesy (@SimonBaines98) August 11, 2018
Leeds United fans
Wilks goal and assist 👏🏻 #lufc
— Ryan Pinnick (@RPlufc93) August 11, 2018
Wilks is flying it #lufc
— Irish_Leeds (@Irish_Leeds) August 11, 2018
Malik Wilks is absolutely smashing it #lufc
— Armo ☀️🌙 (@Jordan_Armo) August 11, 2018
Mallik wilks scores again 👀👀 #Lufc #DRFC
— Marty (@belsom04) August 11, 2018
If Mallik Wilks keeps up this good run of form, and keeps getting himself in and amongst the goals and assists, then it will make for a very interesting return to Elland Road. Whilst not a feature of Marcelo Bielsa’s thoughts at the moment, continued performance in League One for Doncaster Rovers might just force a rethink those thoughts somewhat.
