Patrick Bamford has shared what he told Georginio Rutter at half-time as Leeds United came from behind to somehow beat Leicester City 3-1 at Elland Road, with the Frenchman ultimately playing a starring role.
It is hard to know what exactly happened on Friday night. For the best part of 80 minutes, Leeds appeared to be heading for a fairly abject loss that would have surely dashed any remaining hope of a title challenge.
But Connor Roberts’ goal with 10 minutes of normal time remaining seemed to change everything. Daniel Farke bringing on Roberts, as well as Patrick Bamford and Daniel James slightly earlier, saw Leeds really improve.
Patrick Bamford says he spoke to Georginio Rutter at half-time of Leeds win
And it also appeared to bring the very best out of Georginio Rutter. The 21-year-old had had a really poor first-half. Leicester appeared to have found a way to stop the ball sticking to his feet. And nothing appeared to be working for Georginio.
But he ultimately took home the player of the match award after playing a key role in all three Leeds goals. And speaking to Sky Sports (broadcast on 23/2; 22:23), Patrick Bamford shared that he did have a word with the youngster at the break to try and give him a lift.
“Today, speaking to Georgi at half-time, he was having a tough first-half and I know what he’s like. He keeps trying no matter what and he beats himself up a bit,” he said.
“So I just said to him, ‘look, relax. Things are going to happen, you’re going to make mistakes. But just make sure the next thing’s a simple pass and then you start again from there’.”
Whites were a different side in final 15 minutes
None of the front four who started for Leeds could have had any complaints had they been taken off at half-time. Joel Piroe missed some golden chances. And Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto were nowhere near their best either.
Georginio has been outstanding this season. But he was also struggling; proving to be nowhere near as influential in those tight spaces where he usually excels.
Bamford knows what it is like to have those trickier moments. Whatever he said at half-time certainly seemed to do the trick.
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