Leeds United player ratings v Coventry City: Illan Meslier, Georginio Rutter terrible
Leeds United failed to clinch top spot in the EFL Championship as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Coventry City on 6 April.
Ellis Simms opened the scoring for the hosts in the ninth minute while Haji Wright added a second in the first few minutes of the second period to put some daylight between them and their opponents before Joel Piroe pulled one back.
The Whites failed to capitalise on Ipswich losing to Norwich so it’s back to square one now.
Here are our player ratings:
Illan Meslier – 3
Struggled to command his penalty area and was clearly at fault for the first goal and arguably for the second as well. He should be telling his defenders what to do or claim the ball himself but he failed to do both. The Frenchman has been erratic this season and Leeds arguably would’ve got more points this season had they had a better keeper. Hopefully, he will improve on his performance because this was a woeful display.
Archie Gray – 5
Usually ever so good at right-back, this was a performance far below the standards he’s set in the past. He failed to win any of his two ground duels or an aerial duel, per Sofascore, and did not seem up for it throughout the game. It could be down to the game time this season and must not be singled out for the result.
Joe Rodon – 5
Had a big part to play in the concession of the goal from the corner and he should be dealing with his man better. Apart from that, it was a decent defensive display from the Wales international and he also won the majority of his aerial duels.
Ampadu the pass master for Leeds United
Ethan Ampadu – 6
Completed over 100 passes with an accuracy of 90 per cent and everything seemed to be going through him. He even made seven clearances and appeared to put his body on the line for the Whites. He did get bullied in the air but had the players around him upped their game as well, Leeds could’ve come out of this game with something.
Junior Firpo – 5
His work-rate did come into question on a few occasions and he appeared to be exhausted come the end of the game. Played on the wing for Leeds more often than not, given his advanced role, and he should be doing better in possession.
Ilia Gruev – 5
Came back from an injury and did not look up to it. While he had a pass accuracy north of 90 per cent, he did make errors a fully fit Gruev would not and taking him off gave Leeds a bit for bite in the final third so it’s no surprise they scored shortly after.
Glen Kamara – 4
Failed to impose himself in the middle of the park and did not offer the compactness Farke would’ve wanted. On a few occasions, he was careless in possession too and was rightly taken off at the break.
Dan James – 7
Looked like one of the few players in a Leeds jersey who was hungry for the ball and always tried to make things happen. While he was slightly erratic with his passing, he made up for it with his work rate and it will have impressed the travelling support. James even made a team high three key passes in the game.
Rutter lets Leeds United down with disappointing display
Georginio Rutter – 2
Rutter had a shambolic first half where he lost the ball far too often and did not seem to know when to release it. The smart thing for Farke to do at the break was take him off for Joel Piroe, but for some reason, he persisted with the Frenchman. It was a decision that backfired as he continued the same thing in the second half and was even more careless with his passing. Arguably his worst display of the season.
Crysencio Summerville – 5
There were occasions in the game where he was seen trying to do too much. Rather than simply crossing the ball in or looking for the overlapping run, he wanted to dribble it himself and look for the spectacular. While it’s worked for him more times than not this season, it doesn’t mean that he becomes a one trick pony. He did make a few important passes in the final third, however, and on another day, could’ve ended up with an assist or two.
Patrick Bamford – 4
Starting Bamford was a mistake in the first place and with all the pressure on his shoulders, he failed to prove why he deserves to be leading the line for the Whites. He had three attempts on goal and failed to find the target with even one of them. He got beaten in both of his aerial duels and lost 60 per cent of his ground duels as well.
Subs
Connor Roberts – 5
Joel Piroe – 6
Mateo Joseph – 5
Willy Gnonto – N/A
In other Leeds United news, a teenage sensation is now set to snub Manchester United in order to move to Elland Road.
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