Leeds United’s issues in attack continued at the weekend as they suffered a defeat at the hands of Chelsea.
A 1-0 scoreline suggests a tight encounter between Leeds and their bitter rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, which was the case as the Whites came out narrow losers.
Wesley Fofana’s header in the second half was the difference between the two sides as Leeds failed to make a number of decent opportunities count.
It comes with Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford both absent from the match against, while Georginio Rutter started the game leading the line.
Here, we look at what the pundits have been saying about Leeds’ toils away to Chelsea…
Are Leeds missing Rodrigo?
Leeds are currently without their leading goalscorer in Rodrigo, and that’s a double-figure tally that no one else looks likely to threaten at this stage.
Scoring goals regularly by being ruthless is something that eludes everyone else at the moment, and Rodrigo could be a huge boost to that.
Games against Fulham and then Chelsea underline that loss to Gracia, and BBC Match of the Day’s Ian Wright had this to say on Leeds’ current toils in front of goal:
“Same old Leeds. I think maybe if Rodrigo comes back he can maybe nick some goals for them.”
Predictions for the Brighton game?
Leeds win
Brighton win
Draw
How did Rutter play?
In the absence of Rodrigo and Bamford, Georginio Rutter started at Stamford Bridge and his run without a goal since joining continued.
It was a tough match for the Frenchman to make it stick, playing largely with his back to goal and isolated as the Blues looked to stay on top after a bright start.
Former Leeds man Jon Newsome wasn’t too pleased with his display, suggesting he could have done better as a lone striker, while also acknowledging the lack of support he had in attack.
Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds, he stated:
“Today, in all honesty, I thought he was lost. I thought there were parts of his game, he’s dropping a little bit too deep for me. And that’s where he’s got to learn the game. But he’s got to have help. He can’t do it all by himself, in terms of learning the game.”