Good Morning. It's Wednesday 20th September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road
Should Gnonto be droppedIt'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?
Journo 'mystified' why Greenwood not startingFootball 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!"
A win could see Leeds join top sixA 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?
Rutter looking a real handfulFormer 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).”
