Willy Gnonto line of questioning 'bad signal' for Leeds United says Javi Gracia after Fulham loss - YEP 22/4/23
Questions over Willy Gnonto’s absence from the starting line-up are a ‘bad signal’ for Leeds United according to Javi Gracia.
By Graham Smyth
The head coach’s team selection has come under increased
scrutiny during a costly run of three straight defeats, the latest of which
came at Fulham. A 2-1 loss owed much to goalkeeping errors by Illan Meslier,
who flapped at a pair of crosses and allowed Harry Wilson and Andreas Pereira
to find the net. But Leeds offered very little going forward in the first half
at Craven Cottage, struggled defensively in the second half and although they
forced a Joao Palhinha own goal, it felt likelier that Fulham would find a
third than concede an equaliser.
Gracia’s decision to leave Willy Gnonto, so often a bright
spark for Leeds in attack, on the bench until the 80th minute resulted in
ironic levels of cheering from supporters when the teenager was eventually
introduced. The Italian international is yet to start under Gracia since an
international break that left him nursing an ankle injury. Gracia revealed on
Thursday, however, that the winger was fit and available to start having been
protected upon his return from the ankle issue.
Speaking after the loss at Fulham the head coach indicated
that being questioned over players left out of the starting line-up is
indicative that things are not going well.
“I have to decide right about the players, other players in
my opinion are doing well and they deserve as well,” he said.
"Of course today Patrick Bamford and Luis Sinisterra
couldn't train in all the week because they had some issues in the last game.
We couldn't start with them because they didn't train all week, only some
minutes. We have different players in different situations and we have to
manage that. You ask me about Gnonto today, I have to answer you about that but
if some of you ask me about the players who don’t play it’s a bad signal for
us, because you always miss the players who don't start. It’s a bad signal for
us.”
Gnonto, however, remains an option to start against
relegation rivals Leicester City on Tuesday, a game that will take on must-win
status for the Whites. Gracia will have some big decisions to make for that
fixture, not least in the goalkeeping department given Meslier’s recent
problems. The goalkeeper has often been hung out to dry this season but his
form has wavered of late and the mistakes at Craven Cottage did little to
suggest his confidence is unaffected.
“All the players can start,” said Gracia.
"I know the level of all my players and all of them can
start. I consider all the options but I have to decide, which option is best
for the team. I know Joel [Robles, number two keeper] very well from Spain but
I have to decide.”
