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Leeds United U23s player ratings as Gotts dazzles, Nketiah bags brace, Ayling returns in Watford routCarlos Corberan's side turned on the style to thrash the Hornets
By Joe Mewis Leeds United editor 22:15, 16 SEP 2019
It was six of the best for Leeds United under-23s as Carlos Corberan's side romped to a 6-0 win over Watford.
Pascal Struijk opened the scoring before Eddie Nketiah bagged a brace before half-time.
A triple change at the break saw Luke Ayling make his first appearance from the season, while fellow substitute Tyler Roberts added a fourth from the spot a minute after his introduction.
Robbie Gotts added a fifth before Ayling marked his comeback with a goal.
Here's how we graded Carlos Corberan's side after a superlative performance…
Illan Meslier: A spectator. Leeds were so in control that the Frenchman could have taken a seat in the stand behind the goal and enjoyed the show his teammates were putting on. 6
Gaetano Berardi: Given a 45 minute run-out following his brief cameo at Oakwell on Sunday and put in a professional, committed performance at right-back in an opening half that saw his defensive skills rarely called upon. 7
Barry Douglas: Like Berardi in the other full-back position, the Scot got a half and didn't have much to do against the blunt Hornets attack. Put in an excellent whipped corner for the opening goal. 7
Olly Casey: The 18-year-old looks at ease after making the step up to being an under-23s regular this season. Postionally aware and showed good anticipation to step forward and make a couple of blocks. Tidy on the ball, with one pass to feed Clarke down the right in the second half showing the kind of abillity he has on the ball. 7
Pascal Struijk: Like his fellow defenders, had little to do at the back, but was strong in the air when called upon, with in-form Sam Dalby being shutdown on his return to his former club. Showed the kind of threat he can be at set pieces by opening the scoring. 7
Jack Jenkins: An unfussy, businesslike performance in the role that is usually occupied by Kalvin Phillips in the senior side. Again, with Watford offering so little going forward he was not put under any real stress, but covered plenty of ground and was able to get attacks moving with his balls out from the back. 7
Robbie Gotts: A complete performance from the 19-year-old, who was the team's driving force in the number eight role. A ball of energy, covering every blade of grass, in a showing which saw him equally adept at breaking up play as he was in surging forward. Put in some huge tackles, was not afraid to shoot, often catching defenders off guard with his early, well-struck shots and would get a deserved goal after the break. His assist for the third goal was one of many highlights for Gotts, who will surely make a first-team debut at some point this season. 9
Mateusz Bogusz: Saw plenty of the ball with Leeds spending the majority of the game on the front foot. Involved in plenty of quick passages of play, where one-touch pass and rapid movement bore the hallmarks of Bielsa's legendary training sessions. Had plenty of goes at goal and was unlucky not to score. 7
Jack Clarke: Still frozen out of Marcelo Bielsa's matchday squads owning to the loan player limit, the winger knows he has to make the most of these matches in order to force his way into first-team reckoning. Started slow, but grew into the game, forcing a good save out of Adam Parkes when he tried his luck from outside the box. Continued to run at the shellshocked Watford defence after the break, but his final ball would let him down on occasion. Asked plenty of questions of the defence, splitting his time between the left and right flanks. 7
Stuart McKinstry: The summer arrival's first start at Elland Road and the 16-year-old put in an eye-catching display. Looked to quickly drive forward with the ball and won the penalty for the second goal, with his cut-back too quick for Bayli Spencer-Adams. He would win a second penalty 35 seconds into the second half, cutting into the box and being brought down. Remained a threat throughout, drifting in from the flanks and into the box when he wasn't having a go at the full-back. The Scot turns 17 later this week and this was a promising first Elland Road showing for a player of his age.
Eddie Nketiah: After his match-winning 20 minute cameo at Oakwell yesterday, the Arsenal loanee got a start and took full advantage. Always moving and keeping the defence on their toes, his work rate was excellent. Unlike the first-team on Sunday, there was no doubt who was taking the penalty when Leeds were awarded their first-half spot-kick and it was coolly dispatched. Was then in the right place at the right time to slot home the second. 8
Subs:
Luke Ayling (for Berardi, HT): The right-back's first minutes in a Leeds shirt this season, as he stepped up his comeback from an ankle injury. And he couldn't have asked for a better game to be parachuted into, with the hosts 3-0 and cruising when he came on at half-time. Was able to make plenty of runs forward and work his ankle. Provided an assist by teeing up Gotts and even bagged a rare goal when the ball rebounded to him in the box and he slotted home - much to the annoyance of the Watford social media manager. 7
Tyler Roberts (for Nketiah, HT): Another player on the comeback trail, Roberts slotted home from the penalty slot a minute after his introduction and went close on a host of occasions. As with Ayling, the perfect game to get under his belt, with his sharpness on the way back. 7
Leif Davis (for Douglas, HT): Assured performance in at left-back, showing plenty of energy and workrate as he flooded forward against a beaten Watford side. 7
Subs not used: Kamil Miazek, Liam McCarron
https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-u23s-player-ratings-16929143
