A few Leeds United fans have been discussing Robbie Gotts’ situation at Elland Road, after the promising young defender featured for the Under 23s on Monday.
Gotts somewhat broke out of the academy set-up last December when Marcelo Bielsa named the 20-year-old among his substitutes away to Aston Villa, but sitting on the bench remains the only first-team action the right-back has received.
The Harrogate-born defender is yet to miss out on a place in any of the boss’ matchday teamsheets this term across all competitions, being listed among the substitutes for each of our 22 second-tier fixtures to date and both of our Carabao Cup ties in August.
He even had to wait until half-time on Monday to come off the bench as we beat Bolton’s U23s 5-1, though Gotts would cause plenty of problems from the centre of the field as he showed stellar awareness and anticipation to tuck home our fourth goal of the game.
What should the future hold for Gotts?
Minutes from the bench, at least
Loan move away
Sold
Gotts’ lack of senior action led Bielsa to suggest recently that he may have to leave United to further his career, and that he feels ‘guilty’ at not being able to hand the 5 ft 9 prospect the true breakthrough his talents deserve.
In order to earn his senior debut at right-back, Gotts is facing competition from Luke Ayling, who has held down the role in our last 12 league games after returning to the fold following an ankle knock sustained in the summer.
Stuart Dallas started the season as Bielsa’s first-choice right-back.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans discussed Gotts’ situation…
Can Gotts only play sub now? Is that his actual position?
— Stuart Pe66ie (@StuartYorky) December 16, 2019
Gotts in the strange position of 1st team sub & now u23 sub. Makes little sense tbh.
— paul warrick (LUFC) (@paulwarrick3) December 16, 2019
— Dan Beall (@LUFCbeall) December 16, 2019
Poor Robbie Gotts
— Chris L (@LUFCTX) December 16, 2019
The imaginary Gotts?!
— Tony Goodwin (@TonyGoo51910248) December 16, 2019
Gotts is a great finisher, could easily slip into the number 10 role I reckon
— Niall wright (@Niallwright5) December 16, 2019
Maybe Bielsa should put him on the bench for a first team game
— Billy Kneeshaw (@billy_kneeshaw) December 16, 2019
In other Leeds United news, a prominent pundit has lauded a £60k-p/w man as an ideal January signing for the Whites to chase.