HEAVEN IN ELL
Rutter feeling at home after relegation woe
LEEDS v STOKE KICK-OFF: 7.45pm
GEORGINIO RUTTER struggles to put into words how much he enjoys playing for Leeds – but knows they must keep pushing to achieve their ultimate goal.
United host Stoke tonight looking to bounce back from Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Huddersfield.
They had won nine Championship games on the bounce before being held by their struggling derby rivals.
There’s little wonder many people reckon they’ll secure automatic promotion, even if they have now slipped out of the top two.
And skilful striker Rutter is at the heart of it all, forming part of a dynamic attack in Daniel Farke’s side.
The Frenchman has been at Elland Road for just over a year now after his club record £35.5m move from Hoffenheim.
At times as they slipped out of the Premier League, he looked like a fish out of water.
But fans favourite Rutter, who has scored seven goals and produced 11 assists this term, is going along swimmingly now.
“This year is unbelievable for us,” he said. “And you have to keep pushing for something special at the end.
“I enjoy that. It’s a great atmosphere, we’re winning a lot of games and I’m happy for everyone so you have to keep going like this.
“I can’t describe. The Leicester game was unbelievable. I thought about a lot of things after that game. Last year was not so good and when you have a day like this you forget a bit. I’m enjoying it.
“I have good team-mates and the fans as well. It’s a good relationship with the fans.”
Leeds brilliantly fought back from 1-0 down to score three late goals to beat leaders Leicester 3-1 in their last home outing.
They remain unbeaten at Elland Road this term but have already been stung once by relegation-threatened Stoke having fallen 1-0 at the bet365 Stadium in October.
Stoke also picked up a moraleboosting 2-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday to improve their survival chances.
Rutter, 21, said: “We have to be clever – not like the game before.
“The last time we played against Stoke it was a bit difficult because we didn’t play a good game. Now we have to be clever and more clinical because we had a lot of chances against Stoke but we conceded a goal and lost 1-0.
“You can’t be like this – you have to be focused. Sometimes you can have a bit too much confidence, but everyone is ready for it.”
Meanwhile, Rutter is as excited as everyone else by Archie Gray, the 17-year-old who has taken the Championship by storm.
Asked how good the teenager could be, he said: “For me, the first time I came here and I saw him, I saw something special.
“He’s a very big player. He’s had a good progression and he deserves that because he works every day for that. And he’s a good guy. He knows – so I don’t have to say more for him!”