Leeds United Academy graduate Mallik Wilks has had a very enjoyable spell out with League One side Doncaster Rovers in the campaign of 2018/19.
Building on the experience he gained with previous spells at Accrington Stanley and Grimsby Town, the 20-year-old striker has certainly taken plenty of plaudits at the Keepmoat Stadium as his record for them now stands at 13 goals in 34 starting appearances and seven substitute showings.
He started life brightly having headed out over the summer, scoring three times in his opening three games, but then the inevitable dip came and he went six without registering. Having got back on the scoresheet, consistency was the issue (again expected at his age) and there were gaps in his productivity despite his best efforts. In more recent times, he has found that consistency though and has four goals in his last six matches.
His form has seen him nominated for the PFA Player of the Month award and it’s not just goals, he’s added seven assists over the season so far.
Doncaster gaffer Grant McCann has been fulsome in his praise as he spoke to the Doncaster Free Press this week.
“I think he’s got stronger. He’s got more belief in himself. He started the season well but then we’d get maybe one or two good games out of him or he’d be not so good and then come back again. It was like that for a long time but now he has started to perform at a consistent level. This is what I expected we would get from him but I think he can be better. The lad has got everything to play in the Championship, whether that’s with Leeds, us or somebody else. He’s got all the attributes.”
Let’s hope he’s saying the same things at the end of the season as we might well have another potential gem on our hands.