Rutter cold shoulder, Ayling's classy Gray touch, Farke-Piroe summit in Leeds United moments missed – Leeds Live 7/10/23
Leeds United defeated Bristol City in the Championship on Saturday with goals from Daniel James and Joel Piroe and here are some of the moments you may have missed at Elland Road
Ayling reunited with an old friend
Luke Ayling had two very happy years with Bristol City
between 2014 and 2016. During his spell with the Robins, they won promotion
from League One and the Leeds United vice-captain played a big role.
While this is not the first time he has faced his old club
with the Whites, it is the first time in a few years and while none of his old
team-mates remain in the Robins' dressing room, there was one friendly face in
the backroom staff. As the two teams entered the stadium, Ayling went towards
the away dressing room and grabbed Scott Murray, a Robins legend who has been
the kitman there since 2012.
Bamford and Gelhardt enjoy themselves
The substitute strikers, Patrick Bamford and Joe Gelhardt,
were warming up together ahead of the match. They were challenging each other
to some form of game and the loser had to take a few flicks on the ear.
Bamford took great satisfaction in landing a few strikes on
the youth’s lug.
Cooper’s Hull reunion
As the two sides took their places on the pitch and in the
dugouts, Liam Cooper actually came back out of the away bench to meet Nigel
Pearson. The Bristol boss was briefly Cooper’s manager at Hull City before the
defender was shipped out on a few loans as a young player in that Tigers squad.
It was a very warm embrace and chat between the pair.
Nahki Wells was born in Bermuda, but began his life in the
UK by attending Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy at Leeds
Beckett University. Eccleshill United, a non-league outfit near Bradford, was
his first club over here, but spells with Bradford City and Huddersfield Town
would follow.
Three goals against Leeds stretching back to March 2016 only
add to the book of reasons why he’s not liked in these parts. He was given a
six-letter noun repeatedly as he came off with a first-half injury at Elland
Road.
Ayling encourages Gray
Luke Ayling was warming up in the 36th minute along the
front of the John Charles Stand and he could be seen giving encouragement and
advice to Archie Gray, who was playing in his right-back position. There was a
tap on the back for the teenager as he was given the ball for a throw-in too.
Bamford’s Rutter advice
As the players emerged for the start of the second half with
the score still tied, Bamford could be seen with an arm around Georginio
Rutter, giving him advice and gesticulating on what he should be looking to do
on the field.
Dickie ignored
In the 51st minute, Rutter collided with an accidental,
stray elbow from Robert Dickie. The French forward went to the ground and
stayed motionless for a few moments, but eventually got to his feet after some
treatment.
Dickie offered an apologetic hand as Rutter jogged back into
his position, but he ignored the hand and went straight by the defender. The
Don Revie Stand obviously noticed and let out a cheer as Dickie was shunned.
Piroe’s full-time pointers
As the players made their way around the field to thank the
supporters, Daniel Farke could be seen having a post-match summit with Joel
Piroe. The manager was delighted with his striker’s high-class goal, but later
admitted he was picking up on a few moments he could have improved on around
the field.