It is easy to select a team after a win. Daniel Farke’s tactical consistency this season largely stems from Leeds United winning 23 of their 38 Championship games, meaning he hasn’t had to change it.
Going into Saturday’s game at QPR, most would have picked Brenden Aaronson. Despite his omission from the United States squad by Mauricio Pochettino, Aaronson played well in the win against Millwall.
But against QPR, it was the opposite. He offered little in the first half at Loftus Road other than setting Koki Saito up with the perfect lay-off for QPR’s opener, in which the Japan star curled into the corner.
Aaronson was hooked at half-time and replaced by Wilfried Gnonto, and the Italian instantly provided an impact with a gorgeous pass that created Jayden Bogle’s goal. It is a change Leeds fans have wanted.
Michael Bridges says Wilfried Gnonto has given Farke a problem
The international break is now in full flow, with Gnonto one of 15 Leeds United players representing their countries. Aaronson will remain at Thorp Arch but with Swansea next, who does Farke start at no.10?
Bridges says Gnonto has given Farke a problem now, claiming the 13-time Italy star simply has to start after his important cameo role against QPR at Loftus Road. If he starts, it is likely in place of Aaronson.
“Daniel Farke eluded to it after the game and was interesting to hear him say he was thinking of starting Wilfried Gnonto. Hindsight is a great thing but his staff would have told him, ‘change the game’.
“‘Find the pockets of space, bit more physicality and don’t get thrown off the ball’. Now he’s given his manager a massive problem, because he has got to start the next game,” Bridges told LUTV on Saturday.
Jermaine Beckford urges Daniel Farke to start Wilfried Gnonto
Farke could be accused of flogging a dead horse in recent weeks with Aaronson, who has only managed to have a hand in 10 goals all season despite starting 36 Championship games in a row for The Whites.
The odd good performance, coming amid three or four bad ones. Beckford continued after Bridges by saying that he is all for Gnonto starting against Swansea when Leeds return after the international break.
“Going back to what Aaronson said before the game about bringing more goals and assists to the team, he hasn’t done that today, and Gnonto has been involved in changing the whole outlook of the game.
“From that perspective, I’m all in for Gnonto starting the next game,” Beckford said. Leeds host Swansea at Elland Road on March 29, a return to a 3pm kick-off for the first time in weeks after the break.
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