Graham Smyth has been on the latest episode of the Inside Elland Road podcast and he has been talking about all things relating to Leeds United.
One of the topics that he spent some time on was Rodrigo’s debut for the Whites against Liverpool that saw him give away a penalty that was tucked home by Mohamed Salah to condemn Leeds to a 4-3 defeat at Anfield.
It seems as if Smyth thinks the challenge from Rodrigo can be seen as a learning curve but might also dampen expectations over the Whites’ record signing.
He said: “His challenge in the area was clumsy, it was just very, very clumsy.
“He left a leg out – quite what he was trying to do I’m not so sure, but he’s made his apology, on social media at least.
“[Marcelo] Bielsa didn’t hold him culpable for the result because Liverpool could have scored from other situations and it’s a lesson learned.
“It maybe just dampens down the rampant expectations over him at least – [he’s a] record signing; everyone expecting him to tear up the Premier League.
“That and [Patrick] Bamford’s goal maybe just calms everything down a bit and will help people to be patient as Rodrigo learns the system and adapts.”
Do you think Rodrigo should start the next Premier League game?
No, bring him off the bench again
Yes, get him on from the start
TIF Thoughts…
The 29-year-old came off the bench in the 61st minute and earned a poor rating of 5.67 and gave away a penalty.
However, Rodrigo is a full Spanish international and scored many goals and provided many assists for Valencia.
Though he didn’t have the ideal start, it might be a good idea if the former Benfica man uses it as a learning curve.
Patrick Bamford also scored in the game, and that might see Rodrigo stay on the bench for a little bit longer as he looks to adjust to Marcelo Bielsa’s style of play, and Smyth could be right that this incident might be good for him in the long run.