Leeds United undoubtedly have the most expectant set of supporters in the Championship.
The Elland Road crowd is determined to see their side back in the Premier League and so for however long Leeds aren’t there, the pressure will be on Daniel Farke and his squad.
That was certainly evident in Leeds‘ 2-0 win at Cardiff City. Though the Bluebirds were dreadful, most clubs would’ve been delighted with a clean sheet and comfortable three points on their travels.
However, Leeds fans actually booed some aspects of the performance after a few too many backwards passes from Ilia Gruev.
Wilfried Gnonto says it is easy to understand Leeds fans’ expectations, though it is also the same for everyone inside the club, including the 49ers.
Gnonto admits Leeds fans hate during Elland Road career
It is Gnonto who perhaps knows as well as anyone the passion of Leeds fans. His first season at the club saw him become an instant fan favourite.
However, his attempts at forcing through a Leeds exit after relegation certainly hampered that relationship, and he has been working to fix that since.
It certainly does feel like Gnonto has taken significant steps towards doing that, with exemplary behaviour in the summer seeing him handed a new contract at Leeds, despite Everton’s £23 million bid.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Radio Leeds, Gnonto says he knows there have been different periods of love and hate from the fans but very much feels like the former has now been restored.
He said: “I love it [the interactions with the fans]. I would say since I came here it has been love and hate at the same time in certain periods.
“But I know that they love me and I love them as well because they make me feel at home since the first day, and for my family as well. I really try to every time I go on the pitch to put this work, running and passion they have as well. I feel like they can see it in me.”
Gnonto back on song for Leeds this season
This time last year, Gnonto was very much in the process of settling down again at Leeds. The jury was still out from fans, and he wasn’t showing the form of his Premier League last season.
However, a calm summer has allowed him to hit the ground running this time around, even if the goals and assists column does not reflect that yet.
Gnonto key stats 23/24 vs 24/25
| Stats | Gnonto 23/24 | Gnonto 24/25 |
| Touches per game | 31.1 | 51.3 |
| Succ. dribbles per game | 0.8 | 1.5 |
| Key passes per game | 0.6 | 0.7 |
| Fouled per game | 1.5 | 3 |
| Shots per game | 1.3 | 2.5 |
| Big chances created | 5 | 2 |
Though of course a smaller sample size, pretty much every key statistic has improved this season in comparison to last for Gnonto.
It shows just how much more settled he is, and what he can do playing off the left, which is where he started the first four matches.
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