Wilfried Gnonto was handed just 10 minutes of match action on Saturday afternoon as Leeds United lost 2-1 to Fulham. The forward tried hard during his stint on the right flank, but with Fulham already thinking about trying to wind down the clock, he struggled to fully make his mark at Craven Cottage.
Gnonto was largely wrapped up by the Cottagers and with Leeds failing to make the most of openings across the field, his time on the ball was severely limited. It was an afternoon to not only leave him frustrated, but the fans, too, who spent time singing his name at various points of the game, while he was parked on the bench.
Javi Gracia’s decision to leave Gnonto on the bench once again was not a popular one. The head coach had confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon that the Italian international was considered fully fit once more and for many that came as a sign that he would be in line for just a third league start under the Spaniard.
Read more: Every word Javi Gracia said on Leeds United's defeat, Gnonto, Cooper, Meslier and changes
However, other options were preferred in west London, with Crysencio Summerville and Jack Harrison starting, while Luis Sinisterra came off the bench with just over an hour played. Arguments can be made for the above trio, but Gnonto has proven himself to be one of the club’s most dangerous this season and with Leeds in desperate need of Premier League points, he was expected to be given longer on the field.
Gracia was asked to explain his thought process after the contest at Craven Cottage.
“I can tell you the same that I have to decide,” he said. “I have to decide right about the players.
“All the players are, in my opinion, doing well and they deserve as well. Of course today Patrick Bamford and Luis Sinisterra, they couldn't train during all the week because they had some issues in the last game.
“We couldn't start with them because they didn't train and only some minutes. We have different players in different situations and we have to manage that. You asked me about Gnonto today. I have to answer you about that.
“But when some of you ask me about the players that don't play is a bad signal for us because you always miss the players that don't play. Bad signal for us.”
It’s a short turnaround for the Whites as they return to action on Tuesday night against Leicester City, who returned to winning ways on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Wolves at the King Power Stadium. But, he was keeping his cards close to his chest when asked about his rotation plans regarding Gnonto.
“All the players can start, it is not about the level when they play some minutes,” he added. “I know the level of all my players and all of them can start. It’s something about different options. I have to take a difficult decision.”
Gnonto has been used sparingly since the arrival of Gracia, with the forward playing more of a bit part role over the last couple of months, stepping off the bench late in games rather than playing from the start. However, with just six games remaining changes look likely once again on Tuesday night and Gnonto has the ability to be Leeds’ trump card.
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