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Beren Cross

Jesse Marsch could finally be about to get what he's been waiting for at Leeds United vs Brentford

A debut for Rutter?

Georginio Rutter is available to Jesse Marsch and Leeds United for the first time today and all eyes will be on how the American chooses to use the record signing. The head coach and the player have each admitted Rutter is not at 100 per cent, with a benching most likely in the first instance.

With an embarrassment of riches now amassing in the frontline there is not quite the urgency for Rutter to be thrust into action immediately. If he does get on, it will be interesting to see where Marsch uses him across those three positions.

Elland Road’s mood?

Wednesday’s victory definitely took the sting out of this week’s tail for Marsch. A defeat to a woeful Championship side would have made this afternoon toxic from the first error, but the 5-2 hammering should inject some patience and good feeling into Elland Road.

READ MORE: Georginio Rutter opens up on Leeds United pricetag as he outlines immediate Elland Road goal

However, league form is king and Leeds have to play at a level somewhere near last week’s showing in Birmingham. If the match follows anything like the same pattern as the last Brentford meeting then Elland Road will make its voice heard.

Wober or Struijk?

With a clean bill of health delivered for all of Marsch’s senior defenders, it seems the tightest call he has to make is on his left-back. With Robin Koch and Liam Cooper likely to reclaim the central berths, newcomer Max Wober is left fighting with Pascal Struijk on the left flank.

While the sample size is small, Wober has looked promising in his three outings up to now, right at the time Struijk has shown some struggles. Errors at Cardiff City were followed by issues at Villa Park and Wober may just get the edge today.

Adams and Roca’s partner?

One of the other open berths in the team seems to be in that third slot alongside Tyler Adams and Marc Roca in midfield. Crysencio Summerville’s injury opened the door to Jack Harrison at Villa Park and then Sam Greenwood in midweek.

Harrison was impressive in the front three on Wednesday and may just retain that slot for at least another week while Patrick Bamford, Luis Sinisterra and Rutter continue to sharpen up. Harrison holding firm could then see Brenden Aaronson move into the midfield three if Marsch is minded to move away from Greenwood at all.

Resisting the Bamford temptation

As promising as Harrison was on Wednesday night, it is impossible to ignore the three goals in two matches Bamford has struck. Marsch and the medical team know they need to carefully manage the injury-prone forward, but it could be so easy to get carried away with Bamford.

The prospect of being able to trade out his three attacking starters for replacements of the calibre of Rutter, Bamford and Sinisterra must be tantalising for Marsch and a top-level capability he has been waiting for.

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