Leeds are short on numbers in the first-team, massively. Although it’s more about quality rather than quantity both Mallik Wilks and Lewis Coyle have proved they are capable of doing it on a regular basis, even if that is at league One level.
Although Mallik Wilks hasn’t played any Championship football he is a player with pace and tricks, a player that is scoring goals and has some form at Doncaster Rovers. The winger today penned a new deal with the club, extending his deal until 2022 and also extended his loan at Doncaster. Leeds don’t have many attacking options at the moment, especially off the bench. Jack Clarke is the go-to player every week and he’s expected to get us out of the position we find ourselves in, whether that’s 0-0 at Sheffield United or 0-2 at Aston Villa.
Development is important, it’s not rocket science to see why the club have allowed Wilks to stay on loan at Doncaster until the end of the season. His experience, confidence and ability are all improving with the move, but perhaps a player like that would be ideal on the bench for the club as the season goes on. The same could be said for Fleetwood loanee Lewis Coyle. The right-back continues to impress on loan, this time under Joey Barton on the west coast, and he, unlike Wilks does have Championship experience.
Coyle featured under Garry Monk on various occasions and always impressed, a player who many Leeds fans thought would be the next right-back at Leeds before the arrival of Luke Ayling from Bristol City. Coyle can play at right or left-back, both positions Leeds have had to use the likes of Stuart Dallas this season, a variety of times. Gjanni Alioksi has also played left-back, as has Leif Davis at Aston Villa and Jamie Shackleton at right-back time and time again.
