Clinton Morrison was on Sky Sports punditry duty on Soccer Saturday, covering the Leeds United trip to face Burnley at Turf Moor.
Leeds United fell to a 2-0 defeat to Burnley, which was a game they looked toothless in attack for much of the clash. The likes of Noah Okafor and Willy Gnonto were ruled out with injury and Brenden Aaronson and Jack Harrison started on the flanks.
Leeds fans couldn’t believe the reaction to Gnonto being out with a fresh injury concern. These are not long-term issues, but Leeds are short of attacking depth without them; Gnonto had hernia surgery, for example.
The Italian is now in his fourth season at the club, having arrived from FC Zurich for £3.8 million (Daily Mail). He has one assist in the cup, but many would argue that he has the creativity and guile to conjure something up from nothing.
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Clinton Morrison’s view of Willy Gnonto after Burnley 2-0 Leeds
Clinton Morrison reacted to the defeat post-match on Soccer Saturday, where he explained why Gnonto would have been a useful player to have, alongside a fully fit and firing Dan James.
Morrison said: “They offered a bit but they didn’t really create any clear-cut chances. Aaronson has the best chance and [Martin] Dubravka makes a brilliant save.
“He should really be scoring. He tipped it onto the post. Then they had kind of half-chances where the ball wasn’t breaking for them in the box.
“They are so reliant on Calvert-Lewin, at the moment. But he needs more crosses into the box. I think they’re missing Willy Gnonto and they’re missing Dan James.
“But he came back from injury and he came and made a cameo appearance.”
Morrison and Paul Merson then got into a squabble over the game. Morrison added: “And yeah, Merse, you keep looking at me.”
Merson responded: “You said they were terrible. You told me they were terrible.”
Morrison: “Yeah, they weren’t brilliant. But they dominated the ball. In the second half, they were much better. In the first half, they were terrible; the fans would’ve said that.
“In the second half, much better. But listen, it was my game and you should’ve been watching your game.”
Merson: “In the first half they were terrible, Simon. But, in the second half they got a little bit better but they lost 2-0. Okay!”
Morrison: “You should’ve watched your game. It was my game.”
Merson: “You were talking to me! You kept on rubbing into me. You kept on tapping me on the shoulder. Go away!”
Gnonto’s view of his versatility
Gnonto has proven before that he can be utilised off the left or the right, but also as more of a free playmaker in a central No.10 position.
Gnonto explained his versatility for Leeds, saying: “I don’t think I’m the good person to answer but I have done it before. Even last season, not a lot, but it is just about how the coach wants to play.
“Wherever the coach wants to play me, I’m ready to play and help the team. It’s not too much about position and roles, but we try whenever or wherever we play, we try to use our qualities.”
Leeds have very few central options, which is why Gnonto, Okafor, and James should play behind a central striker in some games, reverting back to a 4-2-3-1.
But, in the 4-3-3, Gnonto is more than capable of making the right flank his own and combining with Jayden Bogle gets plenty out of his right-back, too.
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