Recoveries for Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo are likely to remain in the dark until Friday’s Sam Allardyce press conference, but Leeds United will need to prepare for the worst in the meantime. The outlook for Bamford, carrying a hamstring injury and removed from the fray, looks far starker than for Rodrigo, who was in pain with a plantar fascia issue, but able to see the match out.
Allardyce was already warning, in Sunday’s post-match debrief, he cannot hide the fact he has no senior alternatives to lead the line in the same way. Georginio Rutter has been virtually discarded based on the former England boss’s actions and words, so where else does Allardyce turn for Sunday’s miracle attempt?
In a previous life, Sam Greenwood was regarded as one of the most promising young strikers in England. The former Arsenal man was wearing the number nine shirt in England age-group squads and competing with Joe Gelhardt for starts as the centre forward for club and country.
READ MORE: Sam Allardyce may have one Leeds United hand tied behind his back for miracle attempt
Since Jesse Marsch began transitioning the 21-year-old to midfield that’s been a hard tide to swim against for Greenwood. Javi Gracia and Allardyce have each played him in a deeper role too, but could he lead the line?
None of the options Allardyce has will bring the physical attributes needed to hold the ball up as a conventional target man or centre forward. Greenwood would not lose the shirt on that basis, but there aren’t too many areas he stands out on.
Wilfried Gnonto is the other option with meaningful experience as a central striker. If Leeds are building their attacks with shorter, quicker passes rather than bombing high passes into a focal point, the Italian at least has the pace to break Tottenham Hotspur’s offside trap.
Even if you ignore the absence of goals, it has been a long time since Gnonto had bums off seats in Leeds colours. His goal and all-around display at Old Trafford on February 8 was the last time his electricity really brought a game to life.
Gracia’s determination to leave Gnonto out did not help the teenager with building any form of momentum, but Leeds are now left with what feels like a half-baked version of the forward. Perhaps a central berth may unlock something in him.
A false nine may seem at odds with everything Allardyce has stood for over the years, but Brenden Aaronson and Jack Harrison have fulfilled a role like that during their Leeds careers. Harrison’s experimentation there goes back to Marcelo Bielsa’s first season.
Bielsa saw a lot of attributes in Harrison which would make him a number nine and that guided a lot of the transfer decisions made with Victor Orta back then. The abundance of wingers pursued and signed was down to the versatility they saw in Harrison moving inside as an understudy to Bamford where necessary.
More recently, Harrison played as a central attacking midfielder behind Rodrigo or Bamford under Gracia and Marsch. It seems the 26-year-old may be the safest bet of Allardyce’s alternatives based on his experience and reliability.
Aaronson has flattered to deceive for a long time in this Leeds team, regardless of the role he’s played, and his limited physicality coupled with that poor form, especially in front of goal, may put Allardyce off. Crysencio Summerville is one other consideration, who may offer something similar to Gnonto in behind, but certainly provides less of a physical presence than his close friend.
READ NEXT:
Sam Allardyce has risked losing part of Leeds United's dressing room to find Sunday's soldiers
Leeds United given Premier League survival hope as Everton sent final day warning
Andrea Radrizzani speaks out on Sampdoria takeover plans and ambitions amid Leeds United exit talks
Jamie Carragher doesn't hold back with Leeds United assessment ahead of final day showdown
Dean Smith addresses Leicester City, Everton and Leeds United's final day anxiety
