If there were any doubts swilling around Joe Gelhardt’s mind about how he wanted to spend the rest of this season, they were answered at Elland Road last night. The striker’s Leeds United minutes were already proving limited when Jesse Marsch was playing with four attackers and his teammates were struggling for form.
How much does he expect to play when the system now only has three forwards? Or when Rodrigo’s scored 12 in 20, Crysencio Summerville’s notched in four on the bounce and Wilfried Gnonto’s hitting goal-of-the-century contenders?
The club-record purchase of Georginio Rutter was another obstacle between Gelhardt and the pitch even before Patrick Bamford then turned up with three goals in two games from the bench. The writing’s on the wall for the 20-year-old and it will do him no harm at all to play every week in the Championship.
READ MORE: Patrick Bamford hails 'down-to-earth' Wilfried Gnonto's Leeds United impact after Cardiff double
Wigan Athletic takes Gelhardt closer to his family, closer to the coaches who know him best and closer to the coal face where, week-by-week, results matter to those around a club fighting to save jobs as well as league status. Head over, get 15 matches under your belt and then come back in the summer for the next phase of a contract which runs to June 2027.
It was not long ago Gelhardt was the hype machine at Elland Road. The goal against Norwich City, the assist for Pascal Struijk against Brighton & Hove Albion, the dribble for the penalty at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Liverpudlian was the talent getting bums off seats as Gnonto does now. Leeds still see Gelhardt as the future of their frontline.
They firmly believe he has a long and prosperous career ahead of him at the top of the sport. For now, it’s a case of one step back to take two, three or more forward next season.
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