There’s no doubt about it, Georginio Rutter’s start to life at Leeds United has been slower than most anticipated. The striker has struggled to find traction and form in a white shirt since his club record move from Hoffenheim in January and he has seen his time on the field restricted.
As a result, Rutter has been a figure of frustration for supporters and while many recognise he is still just 20-year-old and it may take time for him to adjust, the hope was that he could make an immediate impact as Leeds battle at the wrong end of the Premier League table. However, after an encouraging showing off the bench in Javi Gracia’s first game on Saturday against Southampton, the Frenchman was given the nod to start in United’s FA Cup fifth round clash against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
It was the perfect stage for Gracia to get a good look at the striker as he took the opportunity to change up his side somewhat and switch to a formation he felt would bring the best out of his side. The Spaniard didn’t get the result he had hoped for on the banks of the Thames, losing 2-0, a result that saw Leeds exit the competition, but he did see positive signs in attacking areas as Rutter enjoyed his best game yet for United.
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It was by no means a perfect performance, far from it, but he showed glimpses of his considerable talent and on another day he could have left west London with a goal or two to show for his efforts. Rutter thought he had got off to the perfect start at Fulham, poking the ball home with just a few minutes on the clock.
In truth, he was in the right place at the right time, but he was on his toes when Marek Rodak pushed a deflected corner his way and he pounced effectively. Unfortunately, the referee blew his whistle after spotting Weston McKennie’s contact on a Fulham man as Marc Roca’s corner entered the area.
It was a tough call, but one which stood as Leeds and Rutter saw an opener chalked off. Rutter continued to pose a threat as the first half progressed, linking play well and looking to latch onto balls over the top from the likes of McKennie and Roca.
A second chance fell his way just before the break and again, on another day, he could have opened his account for the Whites. As it was, he could only turn Wilfried Gnonto’s cross onto the base of the upright with his head before watching on as Fulham swept away the danger.
His arms went up in appeal that the ball had in fact crossed the line, prompting match official Christopher Kavanagh to briefly look down at his watch, but play continued without interruption. Rutter spurned a good chance in the second half, too, firing over after doing so well to engineer the space to shoot inside the box.
Ultimately, it wasn’t his day in front of goal and he was replaced in the 63 rd minute by Patrick Bamford, but the striker can be pleased with his efforts. When asked after the game, Gracia was also relatively happy with what he saw from the youngster before suggesting where he might be best suited moving forward.
“I think when we were attacking sometimes he was alone,” Gracia said when asked about Rutter’s performance. “But like the rest of the players they have a good level and the only thing is try to improve the chances they have.”
Asked about Rutter’s ability to cover for Bamford as a lone striker, the head coach added: “I think he’s one option. I think he can play better as a second forward or with two, in my opinion that’s the best position for Georginio.
“In this game we didn’t have for example other players for centre-back, we didn’t have other player for striker and we tried to manage as well as possible.”
Rutter has made a solid start to life under Gracia, that’s clear to see as he strives to find form in West Yorkshire and make a name for himself in the Premier League. Whether he can kick on and have a big say on the rest of Leeds’ season remains to be seen, but he’s growing in confidence and fitness and the encouraging signs were there at Craven Cottage.
Gracia will certainly have to think a little harder about who leads the line on Saturday at Chelsea.
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