Leeds United secured a clean sheet and avoided defeat in the away tie of their two-legged play-off semi-final clash against Norwich City on Sunday but Jon Newsome has still criticised one Leeds player.
The 0-0 draw saw Leeds end a run of two straight defeats and pick up a clean sheet having only managed to do so once in the previous eight games. It hands Daniel Farke’s side the advantage on Thursday.
Both sides meet again on Thursday evening atElland Road with Leeds now boasting home advantage and the scores remaining level. Norwich had the 19th-worst away record in the regular Championship season.
But Farke will still have some big decisions to make to his Leeds side ahead of the clash. On Sunday, he put Archie Gray in midfield in place of Joel Piroe to help Leeds look more solid and it certainly worked.
However, it took a player out of the Leeds attack and that also showed. Perhaps something he will change on Thursday night, and there is also the talking point over Georginio Rutter’s recent dip in Leeds form.
Jon Newsome believes Rutter has lost his touch in recent weeks and Joel Piroe, who came on for the club-record signing, showed more in his 25-minute cameo role. Here is what Newsome said about Rutter:
Jon Newsome says Georginio Rutter could now be dropped
It is becoming more and more of a concern, with Rutter now failing to lay on a goal or an assist since the March international break in which the former Hoffenheim star had surgery on a minor hernia issue.
That is nine games including Sunday in which Leeds’ attacking heartbeat has not scored or created a single goal. Though, that is aside from winning a penalty against Middlesbrough in the 4-3 victory.
Newsome told BBC Radio Leeds that he could be dropped: “I hate to say it, but he was really poor today. Nothing stuck. He is that kind of player that really frustrates you, but also has that little sparkle of magic.
“That magic dust has disappeared for the moment and he has been missing for quite a while. Joel Piroe came on, I thought Norwich looked a bit leggy and looked a bit tired, so that gives you an advantage.
“When you have got fresh legs, I think he [Piroe] made more of an impact in the last 20-25 minutes than Rutter had the whole game. Definitely gives Daniel Farke food for Thursday night in his selection.”
Rutter did not escape Daniel Farke’s wrath from Leeds touchline
Farke was animated as expected with such pressure on a game like the play-off semi-final as Leeds looked to secure a solid result ahead of a clash at Elland Road later this week, which they ultimately did.
But Rutter’s poor showing did not go unnoticed and even Farke was seen screaming at Rutter and issuing instructions at the attacker from the dugout. Archie Gray suffered similar wrath from the Leeds boss, too.
It will be interesting to see what happens on Thursday. If Patrick Bamford is fit then the Leeds no.9 could start, while Piroe will fancy his cameo has given him a chance as Mateo Joseph waits in the wings.