Phil Hay believes Wilfried Gnonto is the most likely of Leeds United’s bench players to be handed a start this afternoon.
Gnonto has not started a single match since the 1-0 defeat at Stoke City at the end of October, with both Crysencio Summerville and Dan James having been in fine form.
But Leeds’ good recent run of form was brought to an end at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night and James was certainly among those who produced their most ineffective performance in a while.
Hay was discussing the potential of Daniel Farke making any changes to his starting XI against Coventry City on the latest episode of the Square Ball Podcast, and thinks it would be slightly odd if the line-up was kept the same.
When pressed on who he thought would be the most likely to come in, Hay suggested the 20-year-old after he looked the most dangerous from the bench at Sunderland.
Gnonto deserves a start
He said: “It might work if he goes unchanged at the weekend but it would be a little bit strange on the back of Sunderland not to think that the odd alteration might work. Do you give Gnonto a game?
“[In favour of] James potentially. James wasn’t great on Tuesday night but has been really good, his numbers are impressive. I do wonder if Gnonto might start.”
Gnonto still has the potential to rip this division up but has not yet had a proper chance due to the form of those ahead of him in his position.
But after a poor performance in midweek, and a busy schedule coming up, there is surely no better time than today than to hand the ‘special’ Gnonto a chance from the start.
Farke has not yet managed to get rotation right during his time as manager at Leeds, and so utilising his squad more effectively is undoubtedly an area he could improve on.
It would also be nice if Gnonto was handed that opportunity to rekindle his special partnership with Crysencio Summerville.
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