Here are your latest Leeds United headlines for Tueday, April 25.
Richards on Rutter
Georginio Rutter has endured a slow start to life at Elland Road since completing his club-record move in January. The 21-year-old has made just one Premier League start so far, and is yet to open his account for the Whites.
Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo have been preferred to Rutter, with the former Hoffenheim forward largely restricted to cameo appearances. Given Leeds' predicament at the bottom of the table, Micah Richards has questioned the transfer with relegaton a distinct possibility.
The pundit told the Monday Night Club via Leeds United News: “Rutter signed for a lot of money and he’s not even getting a kick. You sign a 21-year-old to almost stand in for or replace Bamford and he’s not played. When you talk about a plan, I do not understand what the plan was.
“Surely if you are spending that sort of money, you get someone ready-made or on loan to see you out to the end of the season, then you go again. If they go to the Championship, God knows how long it will take them to get back.”
Gracia's war cry
Breaking the ‘vicious cycle’ Leeds United find themselves in is the biggest challenge Javi Gracia feels he faces right now. It’s been a tough few weeks at Elland Road, with the relatively strong start Gracia made to life in the role crumbling away on the back of three consecutive defeats.
A total of 11 goals were conceded in losses against Crystal Palace and Liverpool and the Whites were visibly short of confidence as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Fulham on Saturday afternoon. It’s been a damaging run of form, not only as it leaves them perched precariously on the edge of the relegation zone, on point clear of danger, but it seems to have had an effect mentally, too.
With just six Premier League games remaining, it’s clear that such a slump could not have come at a worse time. Gracia, though, insists he hasn’t seen a change in mentality from his players since he arrived at the club two months ago.
The Spaniard is more than happy with what he sees from his side on the training pitch at Thorp Arch, but his players need his backing and encouragement if they are to snap their losing streak in time.
You can read the full story here.
Talking points
Leeds United are running out of time. With six games to go, Leeds are perched on the edge of the Premier League relegation zone and they know a defeat against Leicester City would leave them in danger of dropping into the bottom three before a tricky run in.
On the face of it, this evening’s clash with Leicester City looks like their best chance to pick up three points. The game precedes another huge clash at Bournemouth before a gruelling month of May, in which Leeds play three of the top five, gets underway.
You can read the full story here.
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