SHADES OF GRAY
Boy wonder Jack reminds fans of Leeds legend Eddie
JACK CLARKE scored his first goal for Leeds in Sunday’s thrilling win over Aston Villa but already the teenager is being compared to one of the club’s legends.
The winger from York turned 18 just last month but has broken into the side under Marcelo Bielsa and has attracted the attention of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
But it is the way he reminds Whites’ fans of 1970s great Eddie Gray that is the talk of Elland Road in recent weeks.
And after his debut goal at Villa Park in a victory from 2-0 down, Clarke says he is feeling the same buzz that surrounded Leeds when the 70-year-old Scot was in his pomp.
He said: “It felt brilliant to score my first goal, but nothing will beat the feeling of winning, it was unbelievable.
“I’ve never been involved in anything like it, everyone is buzzing, staff, players who didn’t even play that were there like Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas and everyone is just as excited as each other.
“I don’t think there is a secret, we are playing really well at the moment and there is a real belief in the squad that even when we are two goals behind we can still come back and win.
“I think the team is bringing out the best in me. I’m trying to make an impact and when I do make an impact it is brilliant.
“We have massive confidence this season that we can do something different and we’ll try to keep this run going.
“The longer we keep winning, the more chance we have got of achieving promotion which is what we are all trying to do.”
Kemar Roofe snatched the dramatic stoppage-time winner on Sunday and is ready to go again when Blackburn visit.
Roofe said: “It is nice to roll into the second part of the season at the top of the table, but there is still a long way to go.
“We are always confident of winning games, as long as we do the basics, keep pushing and working hard, we have a chance. We can only focus on the next game now though.”