Ilia Gruev must be destined for Leeds United bench v Millwall after what he did
Leeds United were subject to a rare defeat after losing 1-0 away at Portsmouth on Sunday.
The Whites travelled to Fratton Park for the early kick-off on Sunday (9 March), games Leeds do not a have a favourable record in.
Unfortunately for Daniel Farke’s men, that record continued when Colby Bishop’s 61st-minute goal proved to be the decider.
Ilia Gruev underwhelms for Leeds v Portsmouth
It was not the best of Leeds performances against Portsmouth and the Whites certainly did not reach the levels that many have come to expect from the league leaders this season.
The defeat means that while Leeds retain their position at the top of the Championship table, they are level on points with Sheffield United, and only two ahead of Burnley in third.
Farke made just one change to his starting line-up from the side that drew 1-1 with West Brom on 1 March, with Joe Rothwell dropping to the bench for Ilia Gruev.
While no one covered themselves in much glory, Gruev was pedestrian throughout and was eventually brought off the pitch in the 79th minute with Willy Gnonto replacing him.
Although he had a passing accuracy of 88 per cent [FotMob], the 24-year-old had just 66 touches of the ball throughout his 79 minutes on the pitch, with his attacking influence at zero.
| Passing accuracy | 88% |
| Touches | 66 |
| Crossing accuracy | 0% |
| Long ball accuracy | 0% |
| Passes into the final third | 2 |
| Defensive actions | 8 |
| Tackles won | 0 |
| Duels won | 6/9 |
Gruev also had a zero accuracy for any of his crosses or long balls and completed just two passes into the final third.
The defensive midfielder made eight defensive actions but won none of his tackles and lost six of his nine duels on the afternoon, showing he is nowhere near good enough right now.
Farke has to recall Rothwell v Millwall
One loss isn’t the end of the world for Leeds but with the games coming thick and fast, the Whites have to be ready to go and put things right on Wednesday (12 March) as they welcome Millwall to Elland Road.
Games against Millwall are always big occasions putting even more pressure on the game and with Sheffield United playing the night before, Farke’s men could be in a position where they need to win to return to the top of the table.
Rothwell has built a good relationship with Ao Tanaka in the Leeds midfield this season and the boss must be prepared to admit he made a mistake and bring him back in.
In 32 league appearances this term, Rothwell has a passing accuracy of 91.5 per cent and a long ball accuracy of 73.1 per cent, having provided four assists across the campaign so far.
With every game from now until the end of the season vital, Farke must see that Rothwell needs to be recalled with Gruev dropping to the bench, that’s where he belongs after that display.