Tim Sherwood says ‘without a doubt’ Rodrigo will earn his first start under Sam Allardyce when Leeds United host Newcastle United at Elland Road at Saturday lunchtime.
It will be Sam Allardyce’s first home game in charge of Leeds United, and it’s against his former club, as he has three games to keep the club in the Premier League.
Last time out against Manchester City, the Whites suffered a 2-1 defeat at the Etihad, with Rodrigo coming off the bench and scoring his 12th Premier League goal of the season.
Allardyce had decided to start Patrick Bamford for the trip to the champions – but he was criticised for his performance.
Some may argue, given that Rodrigo has been Leeds’ biggest goal threat all season, then he should be ahead of Bamford, anyway.
But that goal by Rodrigo against Manchester City, from Sherwood’s perspective, has made up Allardyce’s mind ahead of their weekend clash against Newcastle, as he told Premier League Productions.
“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.”
RODRIGO’S GOLDEN TOUCH NEEDED
From a defensive standpoint, Leeds are all over the place, so they need to be as ruthless as they can be in the final third because their defence can capitulate at any moment.
That’s where someone like Rodrigo comes into the picture and how the £26 million star’s (BBC Sport) magic goalscoring touch is going to be needed.
If Leeds can get that opening goal against Newcastle, then Elland Road will be bouncing and it will be a different ball game altogether.
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