Leeds United earned a comfortable three points against Birmingham City today. But the win might not be good news for everyone.
Leeds United started their 2024 with a much-needed win at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke had seen his side lose back-to-back games at the end of 2023, but Leeds are back to winning ways after goals from Patrick Bamford, Dan James, and Crysencio Summerville put away Wayne Rooney’s poor Birmingham City side.
There were several impressive player performances on the day; Joe Rodon earned praise for his solid display at the back, Bamford too, though Rutter may be deemed the star man.
Starting in the no.10 role, Rutter was influential throughout, with reporter Beren Cross describing his performance as ‘excellent’; as per Sofascore, Rutter made 3 key passes (2nd most of anyone on the pitch) and won 9 duels (more than anyone on the pitch).
Rutter and Bamford partnership could mean bad news for Joel Piroe
Farke decided to drop summer signing Piroe for today’s game; the first time that Piroe has started on the bench since signing for Leeds.
The Dutchman has become quite a divisive figure among the Leeds faithful after a string of mixed performances in the Championship with his Sofascore rating for December being 6.9 ciparwed to 7.4 in November.
And the change today made Leeds much more fluid in attack.
Rutter obviously stole the headlines and rightly so, but Bamford gave a good account of himself too, with Leeds Live rating Bamford’s ‘promising return’ to the side as a 7/10.
Is there a way back into the side for Piroe?
Its certainly not been easy for Piroe since joining the Whites.
Although he’s already netted nine goals in the Championship for Leeds, he’s been tasked with playing in an unfamiliar no.10 role, and largely to the dismay of fans.
But Rutter, a more natural attacking midfielder, showed what Leeds were missing today with an electric performance behind Bamford, creating chances and looking dangerous throughout.
And Bamford performed well too; he’s an experienced no.9 and an experienced player in this Leeds side, and him in front of Rutter just seemed to give Leeds a more fluid and potent attack today.
So for Farke whose side have been inconsistent this season, especially of late with just two wins in six, there may be little reason to change the line-up, especially today’s attacking line, for the upcoming Championship game vs Cardiff City later in the month.
Up next is a trip to Peterborough United in the FA Cup this weekend.
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