Leeds United secured a hard-fought point on their trip to Brentford on Sunday, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin extending his scoring run by finding the net for the fourth Premier League game in a row.
The draw keeps Leeds 17th in the table and three points above the drop zone, having come through a demanding away test against a Brentford side that has been formidable on home soil this season.
Considering their recent struggles on the road, losing six of their previous seven league away matches, the 1-1 result felt significant. Leeds delivered a controlled and resilient display to stop that slide and leave with a reward.
Daniel Farke’s side once again showed the steel and quality required at this level, reinforcing the sense that they have the tools to compete for survival in their first campaign back in the Premier League.
However, not everyone in his squad is feeling too upbeat despite the team’s return to form.
Jamie Redknapp reveals Wilfried Gnonto had to be consoled by a Leeds United teammate at the final whistle
Wilfried Gnonto has made a huge impact on games from the bench in the last week. He came on and won the penalty against Liverpool, which turned the tide at Elland Road.
And it was his brilliant cross from the right that found Calvert-Lewin’s head for Leeds’ equaliser against Brentford on Sunday.
However, the Italian is not getting to start games. Redknapp revealed that the winger looked frustrated at the end of the game and had to be consoled by Calvert-Lewin.
The former Premier League star insisted that players such as Gnonto are dangerous coming on from the bench late in the games, and he has to accept that could be his role in the squad.
“We talk about the modern game, and it’s often now about players who can come off the bench and make a big difference, and Leeds had that with Gnonto coming on”, Redknapp said on Sky Sports.
“Last week, he came off the bench against Liverpool and won a penalty, massive impact. Then today, that bit of quality with the cross when the team needed it most.
“I always think with teams, if you’ve got those players or that one player who can give you a little spark with 10-15 minutes to go, it makes a big difference.
“But, Willy Gnonto won’t want to be known as a sub. I saw Dominic Calvert-Lewin going up to him after, and you saw he had a little bit of frustration, but you need to keep everyone involved.
“If it means he only has a bit-part role at times, then so be it, because he makes the difference that way. When the game gets a little bit slower, there is a bit more space on the pitch for a player like him to make a difference.”
Leeds cannot lose Gnonto in January
The Italian is clearly frustrated at Leeds at the moment. He has featured just four times in the starting eleven for Premier League games this season.
He was not getting a start, even when Leeds had the need for natural wingers in their team. However, the situation has worsened since Farke shifted to a 5-3-2 formation.
Gnonto has no place in the team, and he only came on against Brentford when Farke shifted back to a 4-3-3 by taking off Jaka Bijol.
| Competition | Matches | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 8 | 0 | 2 | 291 |
| EFL Cup | 1 | 0 | 1 | 32 |
| Total | 9 | 0 | 3 | 323 |
There are murmurs that he could look to leave in January. Leeds also need to raise funds to buy players, which has led to suggestions that they could agree to sell the winger.
However, against Liverpool and Brentford, Gnonto has shown his value in the squad. He changed the course of those games with his presence on the pitch.
Leeds need his creativity and his willingness to take on tired defenders towards the end of games. Replacing his quality would be hard in January.
The club must hold on to Gnonto and ensure that he feels part of the team in the latter half of the season.
