Good Morning. It's Wednesday 20th September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Should Gnonto be dropped It's true to say that Wilfred Gnonto's form has slackened off, when you compare his performances to those this time last year, after first breaking into Jesse Marsch's first XI. The young Italian was almost unplayable at times last season; it could take two or three opposition players to keep him quieter, and even then, he would find a way through. His form continued to fall in the second half of their campaign, and he found himself benched for much of it. It has been well documented that his head was turned during the Summer, and the club did well to keep him at Elland Road, but with Jaidon Anthony and Daniel James waiting in the wings, has Gnonto done enough to keep his name on the team sheet? please log in to view this image Journo 'mystified' why Greenwood not starting Football journalist, and self confessed Middlesbrough fan Graeme Bailey, can't fathom out why Sam Greenwood hasn't been given more game time since arriving at Teeside three weeks ago. The 21yo penned a season long loan at the Riverside on the penultimate day of the Summer transfer window, but has only amassed 54 minutes of game time. Taking to his twitter account last night prior to their 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday, Bailey commented that he was mystified how Greenwood was not in Boro's starting line up:- "Much better looking XI from Michael Carrick and delighted to see Josh Coburn staring but mystified how Sam Greenwood still not getting a chance, especially with Matt Crooks starting – but fingers crossed!" please log in to view this image A win could see Leeds join top six A win at Hull tonight could see Leeds join the top six, but only if other results go their way. Last night we saw Preston extend their lead at the top of the Championship with 19 points from 7 games whilst Ipswich jumped to second, just a point less than the Lilywhites, after confining Southampton to their third successive league defeat. Leeds are currently ten points behind the pacesetters. Would a draw do tonight, or do they need to take maximum points? please log in to view this image Rutter looking a real handful Former player, now pundit Clinton Morrison believes Georginio Rutter is looking like a real ‘handful’ since Daniel Farke took the reins at Elland Road. The 21yo, a record signing that could still reach £36m, looked out of sorts last season, but an extended run in the team has helped the young Frenchman find both his confidence, and the back of the net. In four league starts, Rutter has netted twice, and been credited with an assist, as well as two man of the match awards, including his spectacular performance at the Den last week. This earned him a 'Whoscored' rating of 8.9. He tops Leeds ratings with an average of 7.48 average, alongside Crysencio Summerville, just ahead of strike partner Joel Piroe in third place with 7.42. Did Leeds miss a trick no integrating Rutter into the starting line-up quicker? According to Morrison: “Very good finish (against Millwall). He struggled in the Premier League. But he looks like a handful in the Championship and he is getting his goals. The players Leeds have got going forward. They should be there or thereabouts (for promotion).” please log in to view this image
Morning all I still believe Anthony is a better player than Gnonto, Summerville or James, when he’s up to speed we’ll see him starting on the left. Gnonto is being targeted by the opposition, don’t underestimate what he’s doing for the team, double up on him and it means there is a gap He’s also getting very little change from the refs, hopefully Farke is working on Gnonto showing a little less reaction when fouled. After 60 minutes of hard defending against Gnonto you have to pity the defender who sees the back of him only for James or Anthony to appear
Morning all Can’t disagree that Gnonto is not hitting the spectacular levels he did when he first arrived but think we are using him as a battering ram for 60 minutes or so against teams trying to stop us scoring. Can’t think of a more productive 20 minutes from Dan James (albeit his “assist” for Piroes second was comical at best). Did Gnonto just take the legs out of Millwall’s defence? Is it a tactic on Farke’s part? Delighted for Rutter and long may it continue No, I don’t think we missed a trick by not integrating him more last season, it was a pressure kettle situation we ended up in and the ridiculous price tag and change of country could have ruined him. For me, I’ll judge him on this season and am liking what I am seeing. He is also looking like he is really enjoying himself whereas last season he looked almost bewildered.
Must be just me but I thought Gnonto has been doing very well. Maybe he's being judged more harshly because of his want away antics
Much of the Gnonto views by Marcos and Ristac is spot on. I would only add that Refs are giving him nothing because at times he looks like a diver and the opposition are targeting him as they know he’s like a bottle of pop.
I'd agree, 4 times Sunday Leonard took him out off the ball and twice Wallace, who also did Summerville twice, 2 on Gnonto he was running on to receive the ball back both him being in very good positions of attack, who knows what that could have led to. Very poor refereeing on the card front with those 2. Seems like it's a tactic they get away with quite often.
I think Gnonto was one of our better players against Millwall. Held the ball up well, linked play. Got kicked off the park with no help from the ref. He's one of those players who isn't a showy bag of tricks but has quick feet and great first touch and quick over 10 yards... low centre of gravity helps him change direction and enough acceleration to get a yard on the defender for cross/pass.
Think he’s suffering in the eyes of many for his want away antics. It’s hard to forgive, but I reckon he’s done pretty well this season. He does look for free kicks, and reckon refs are aware of that, so he doesn’t get as many as he should. Clearly clubs are targeting him for treatment as well, and in some games we’ll get a benefit from that. For me, he’s the only player who tries to hit the byline. His run in the 2nd half on Sunday where he cut it back across the 6 yd box was classic wing play. Sadly none of our 3 players in the box made the run to (pretty much) knock it in. He’s done similar in a few games this season. I’m happy for him to keep his place, but if Farke believes others can do better, so be it.
Both Gnonto and Summerville are guilty of hanging on to the ball too long. This handicaps alot of our attacks as it allows defenders to get back and organised. There was one instance on Sunday in the 2nd half (as Rover says above) where Gnonto got the ball, got half a yard on the outside of the full back and whipped it across the 6 yard box between the keeper and the defenders. It was outstanding and went largely unnoticed due to Rutter and Piroe not attacking the 6 yard box. That's what Summerville and Gnonto should be doing. No need to beat the full back 3 times before passing it back inside. Just get it out of your feet and whip it in for Rutter and Piroe to attack before defenders can get back.
Afternoon all, Good summary by most on the Gnonto question. I do sometimes think too much of the play goes through him at times. It wouldn't hurt to use both sides of the pitch and let Summerville do his thing more instead of drifting inside to link with Gnonto
We do seem to focus on the left, James excepted when he came on. I do worry that it may be a repeat of the other players attitude last season - give it to Gnonto and watch what he does. I'd like to see someone emerge as a dead ball specialist, when we actually get freekicks or corners that is.
I think that kind of direct play caught us out as well as Millwall, were more used to trying to walk the ball threw defence, rather than bypassing it. I think we will see more of Gnonto and Summerville doing this (something maybe Farke is working on) Piroe will thrive on this, and will be their to finish that kind of move off.
Thought Summerville took some great corners at Millwall tbh. Not had a free kick specialist though since Raphinha.
Hope Gray is rested this evening. He needs managing properly and Kamara is a perfectly good replacement. Nice to have depth in midfield for a change
Afternoon all. Agree with the sentiment that wall tried to kick and body check him so many times. Leonard had four yellow cards offences ignored by the ref, albeit I appreciate that refs let a bit more of the physical stuff go in the championship.
thought the ref jet a lot go but we benefitted for the first goal maybe so can’t complain too much. I don’t mind if it’s consistent but the danger is for players like Gnonto - the more that’s let go the more the defender has licence to kick lumps out of him… or in this case change direction and shoulder charge him
