By Dan Carter

29th Sep, 2023 | 6:40am

Georginio Rutter heaps praise on 'very good' Daniel Farke after early struggles with Leeds United

Georgino Rutter has heaped praise on Daniel Farke for helping him find his feet with Leeds United after a difficult start to life at Elland Road.

The Frenchman arrived from Hoffenheim in January and struggled to settle into the Premier League as he played under three managers in just a few months, having been signed by Jesse Marsch before featuring for Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce.

Leeds broke their transfer record to bring in the 21-year-old in a deal worth £35.5 million [Sky Sports, 15 January] and despite struggling in the Premier League he has impressed so far in the Championship, scoring and assisting twice so far this season.

Speaking to Sky Sports (28 September) he heaped praise on Farke saying: “It was difficult when I arrived last season, and the boss knew it was tough for me. He knew me from Germany and he’s given me a lot of confidence. We speak a lot about our plans and structure. He’s a very good coach.

“It’s tricky when you come for a certain coach, and then he leaves and it changes again. The adaptation was difficult and I didn’t play a lot. When I was in Germany the pressure was not like this. I don’t think I showed the best of myself last year. Everyone spoke about the price tag and that added pressure.

“I’m the same guy with the same mentality, but it’s a different team now. Now if I miss a chance he tells me it’s okay. I’m playing more minutes and more games, and I’m happy to be working hard and to be involved with goals and assists.”

More credit to Farke

It’s a testament to the work of both Rutter and Farke for just how big an improvement the Frenchman has managed in just a couple of months under the former Norwich City boss’ tutelage as his current form is almost unrecognisable from what he managed last season.

There is less pressure on a side when they’re playing in the Championship and now when Rutter misses a chance he has a couple of journalists and opposition fans likely criticising him rather than the national press and every pundit accusing him of being a flop.

Arriving last January was always going to be a tough ask for any player, the situation at Elland Road was nothing short of a complete and utter mess and for a then 20-year-old to be expected to come and save the day was probably naive from those in charge at Leeds United.

But is clear from Rutter’s interview he understands what has made him tick so far this season and he wants to be a success for this Leeds team for some time to come. Assuming he stays fit there is very little doubt he could be the man to fire the Whites back to the top-flight.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites’ performances in recent weeks mean they’re perfectly equipped to exploit Southampton’s hangover