Anthony Onifade

Tue 9 May 2023 21:50, UK

Tim Sherwood has predicted Leeds United striker Rodrigo to start their crucial Premier League clash against Newcastle United on Saturday [13 May].

The Whites’ kicked off Sam Allardyce’s four-game temporary tenure with a 2-1 defeat against Manchester City on Saturday, for which the 12-goal Spaniard scored Leeds’ goal consolation goal late on.

The former Valencia man started the game at the Etihad on the bench with Allardyce favouring Patrick Bamford upfront, and Sherwood speaking to Premier League Productions [9 May] holds no doubts Rodrigo will start against the Magpies.

“It was a typical Sam Allardyce goal,” said Sherwood. “Ball lumped forward, win the second ball, win the scruffy next one and then it falls to Rodrigo, who will start the next game, without a doubt.

“That guy came onto the pitch. He ran around, he looked effective, scores his goal and now starts the next game.”

Got to start

It’s become evidently clear that Bamford lacks the necessary quality to drag Leeds United out of this mess, and his latest disappointing performance proved.

As soon as he came off for Rodrigo, the Whites looked a totally different kettle of fish for Manchester City to handle and that’s why the Spaniard must start at Elland Road on Saturday.

Rodrigo offers so much more to the Leeds United play: desire, heart, aggression, passion and of course, piercing quality that few strikers in the Premier League can match.

Twelve Premier League goals means Rodrigo will be so difficult for Allardyce to ignore and there will be such huge bemusement if Bamford is picked again over the Spaniard.

Rodrigo is the best chance Leeds United have of getting out of the relegation spots right now, and if Allardyce can’t see that then the Whites are in serious trouble. Do the right thing, Big Sam.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites will be without four first-team players for their Premier League clash against Newcastle United on Saturday (13 May), according to injury expert Ben Dinnery.