Mighty Leeds Weblog

Leeds United CEO Angus Kinnear has commended teenage attacker Willy Gnonto’s attitude and professionalism in the wake of his wonder-strike against Cardiff City Joe Donnohue Gnonto’s finish inside 30 seconds of Leeds’ FA Cup Third Round Replay in midweek stunned audiences around the country, and in the 19-year-old’s homeland, due to its striking similarity to countryman Paolo Di Canio’s iconic scissor kick for West Ham United 23 years earlier. The teenager humbly stated he believed Di Canio’s finish was still better than his own, but has won the affections of all at Elland Road due to his affable demeanour and undeniable talent. After the Whites’ midweek cup fixture, strike-partner Patrick Bamford commended the teen, suggesting Gnonto ‘doesn’t know how good he is’. Chief executive Angus Kinnear has become the latest to praise the young forward in his pre-match programme notes ahead of Leeds’ Premier League encounter with Brentford. "It was a great evening for Wilfried Gno...

In his latest column for leedsunited.com, lifelong supporter Jon Howe reflects on Wednesday's great win against Cardiff City and the upcoming match with Brentford on Sunday. Howe is the author of two books on the club, ‘The Only Place For Us: An A-Z History of Elland Road’ - which has been updated as a new version for 2021 - and ‘All White: Leeds United’s 100 Greatest Players’ in 2012. In all honesty I can’t say it applies to every aspect of my life, but where Leeds United are concerned, I’m a perfectionist. I’m what you might call a very demanding fan. Of course I’m happy with any form of win, and sometimes even a point, and I will be ecstatic with certain wins in certain circumstances, but in the pursuit of perfection I’m sometimes left a little flat when the score-line doesn’t reflect a utopian vision I’ve constructed in my own mind, and one which, in all fairness, I know Leeds United are capable of producing. Wednesday evening’s Emirates FA Cup third round replay versus ...

HYPEBEAST Written by: Rob Conlon Jesse Marsch often says Liam Cooper is the best captain he has worked with as a manager. “In terms of a mentality and being a professional and a leader,” Marsch said of Cooper back in August, “he’s the best I’ve ever seen.” Jesse thinks the same about Stuart Dallas. “He is in many ways the heart and soul of the group,” he said after Dallas broke his femur against Manchester City last April, “and one of the guys that I think is always at the forefront in terms of being a leader, and someone who can stand up to big challenges.” Jesse loves the concept of leadership, and places a lot of value on it. “That’s what I think I’ve become more of an expert on than anything else,” he recently said in an interview for the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Philadelphia. During the same talk, he explained his leadership council at Leeds, which includes both Cooper and Dallas: “One of the reasons for the leadership council is I hold our best players and our ...

SUPERBIKE Written by: Moxcowhite • Daniel Chapman What a blessed relief this game was. Five goals scored, all good, one we can talk about forever and ever, the game so done after half an hour that everybody could relax and just watch the players doing the football and feel fine about things. It was a sweet sidestep away from that heavyweight foe, narrative, through a wardrobe door into football Narnia. Our favourite team playing well, winning, so we could all have fun. It’s been a while. Obviously bliss couldn’t withstand the post-match press conference, when all the talk about Jesse Marsch’s future and his tactics and his personality came back, because he brought it back, raising without being asked to reports about players being against him — “B.S.,” he said — and claiming again that Leeds fans don’t understand his tactics. His presser clocks in over 2,500 words, and all that talk invited the caveats about Cardiff being poor opponents with a shambolic defence — and I’ve seen ou...

Leeds United off-camera moments from the Whites’ FA Cup Third Round Replay victory over Cardiff City on Wednesday evening at Elland Road Joe Donnohue Leeds’ triumph over caretaker boss Dean Whitehead’s Bluebirds breathed renewed energy into the Whites as a Willy Gnonto-inspired victory lifted spirits at Elland Road after seven matches without a win in all competitions. The Italian teen netted inside 30 seconds, setting the tone for the evening as Leeds romped to an eventual 5-2 victory. The YEP have collated a handful of off-camera moments that broadcaster ITV didn’t manage to pick up on the night, including some vintage Mateusz Klich horseplay, Gnonto tomfoolery and Jesse Marsch’s family members poking fun at the head coach long after the final whistle had been blown. Klich’s cheeky salute Former Whites midfielder Mateusz Klich was paraded in front of the Elland Road crowd before kick-off, given the opportunity to bid farewell to the Leeds faithful after mutually terminating...

The way Leeds United danced around a Cardiff City shaped FA Cup banana skin represented a step forward for an off-balance manager. By Graham Smyth Head coaches rarely seem to enjoy long periods on solid footing and when they do it's a fleeting moment to be cherished. The other side of the game's patience-devoid sacking culture was laid bare this week in a poignant video featuring Mark Hudson and his kids. It was Hudson who steered the Bluebirds to a 2-0 first half lead over Marsch's Premier League Whites in Cardiff in the initial FA Cup third round meeting of the sides, before Leeds' second half comeback took the tie to a replay. Cardiff drew again six days later, with Championship bottom side Wigan Athletic, taking his winless run to nine games, and was promptly sacked. Hudson only took charge in November following the sacking of Steve Morison, having spent 10 months as assistant manager. It was his family's reaction to his appointment to that role that fea...

By Phil Dawkes Wilfried Gnonto's arrival at Leeds on deadline day last summer was met with little fanfare outside of his new home city. While an Italian international, the then-18-year-old had been plying his trade in Switzerland, commanded a relatively modest fee of just £4m and was described by his new manager as "not Premier League ready". To some, Gnonto's move from FC Zurich was seen as a consolation prize after more glamorous moves for Cody Gakpo and Bamba Dieng failed to materialise. In just a few short months, though, the diminutive forward has not only shown he is prepared for anything the English top flight can throw at him, but is arguably his club's most impressive and consistent performer. Gnonto, now 19, has also scored one of the best goal's of this and most FA Cup seasons. In keeping with the rapid way he has taken to English football, it took just 26 seconds of Wednesday's third-round replay against Cardiff for him to light up ...

Jesse Marsch has lashed out at a report that players at Leeds United are unhappy with his management, insisting they're unified in their belief. By Graham Smyth Speaking after a 5-2 FA Cup win over Cardiff City that reinforced his belief that the Aston Villa performance was a big step forward for the team, Marsch was pleased to get a dream start at Elland Road. Willy Gnonto volleyed in a stunning opener inside 30 seconds and later added a second, with Patrick Bamford also grabbing a brace and Rodrigo continuing his fine goalscoring run. A pair of late consolation goals took a little shine off the scoreline but did nothing to dull Marsch's delight. "Really, really happy," he said. "We wanted to have a fast start, obviously that was a dream start, a good ball from Rodrigo and [Gnonto] bumps the defender a little bit, arranges his feet and an incredible finish. He's in a really good way right now." And so too are Leeds, Marsch believes. "I ...

Leeds United did it the easy way in their FA Cup third-round replay. By Stuart Rayner Yes, you read that right. From the moment Willy Gnotno scored a stunning volley after 26 seconds, the only team at Elland Road who looked capable of beating Leeds was Leeds. The pessimist who remembered the first game might not have been sitting comfortably when Rodrigo made it two in the 34th minute, but when Gnonto added his second two minutes later, it really was time to get out the cigars. When Cardiff City had a goal harshly chalked by referee Thomas Bramall's review, they could safely be lit. It was if the Whites forgot they are supposed to be the worst team around when 1-0 up, but in case you doubted it was really them, Luke Ayling clumsily let a Sheyi Ojo cross through his legs for former Sheffield United player Callum Robinson to score a not-in-any-way-consoling consolation goal.. In the second half Patrick Bamford helped himself to his second and third goals in two games as...

Leeds 5-2 Cardiff: A late consolation brace from Callum Robinson came after Willy Gnonto had also scored twice Mark Walker Willy Gnonto and Patrick Bamford both struck twice as Leeds United thumped Cardiff City 5-2 in their FA Cup third-round replay at Elland Road. Gnonto gave Leeds a flying start with a stunning volley inside the opening minute and fired home his second after Rodrigo had struck his 11th goal of the season to put his side 3-0 up before the interval. Substitute Patrick Bamford then bagged a second-half double before Callum Robinson scored two late consolations for Cardiff, the second a penalty, as Leeds reached the fourth round of the competition for the first time in six years. Leeds scored five goals for the first time since beating West Brom 5-0 in December 2020 and now face an away tie at Accrington or Boreham Wood. A stoppage-time equaliser from Leeds teenager Sonny Perkins salvaged a replay at the Cardiff City Stadium 10 days ago, but the managerless S...

Crysencio Summerville was forced off with an ankle injury during last Sunday’s FA Cup draw at Cardiff Mark Walker Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch has called for more protection for strikers from Premier League referees after Crysencio Summerville was ruled out for a month. Summerville, who burst on to the first-team scene with four league goals in as many matches before the World Cup break, was forced off with an ankle injury during last Sunday’s FA Cup draw at Cardiff. Marsch, whose side play at Aston Villa on Friday, said he was unhappy with some of the challenges on both Summerville and fellow forward Willy Gnonto in Cardiff. “Crysencio Summerville is out for a month with an ankle injury,” Marsch said. “The ankle injury sustained in the Cardiff match is a little bit of a talking point for me. “Between Cree and Willy specifically, opponents have tried to bully them, they have a hard time containing them and I don’t think refs have protected those two well enough. “It’s m...

Leeds United title-winning left-back casts his eye over new man Max Wober and eagerly anticipates the Whites filling a squad vacancy that has been open for some time. By Tony Dorigo The positions in which Leeds United have been crying out for signings have been no secret in the last few transfer windows. And although the club have done their best to try and fill the gaps, we kept falling at the final hurdle when it came to a striker in the summer, so the sooner we can get a number nine in, the better. Looking at Georginio Rutter's stats, video clips and what have you, he's clearly a number nine with some talent and of course at just 20 years of age you expect him to keep improving. The raw talent is absolutely there. So if we get this one over the line it will give everyone a lift around the club, the players, the fans, the whole lot. Let's hope for some good news before too long. If he signs on the dotted line this week then he'll be joining a club who are ...

CUP MAGIC, LEEDS STYLE Written by: Moxcowhite • Daniel Chapman Should have known, really! Should have known. There was a bit, a short time before kick-off, perusing Cardiff City’s team news, comparing their new stadium to the old and angry Ninian Park, thinking about the quality that exists in Leeds United’s Premier League squad, when I thought: this might be fine. This game could be simple. Leeds could calmly win 3-0. Our opponents, from the bottom of the Championship, were ill and understrength. Leeds United were also understrength. And it was them who made me sick. There was not much to object to in United’s starting line-up, especially once Jesse Marsch reeled off the list of muscular injuries affecting absent players. But sure, give Junior Firpo a shot, bring Rasmus Kristensen back, try Darko Gyabi in midfield, give Joe Gelhardt some playing time, put Pascal Struijk to centre-back — and captain. All moves with merit. But on top of the changes, Marsch asked them to play like…...

No one obsesses over the transfer window more than the English said Jesse Marsch, ahead of a month in which it can feel like the football itself gets in the way. By Graham Smyth Transfer stories dominate in a weird, almost perverse manner. It’s especially weird mid-season when games are coming thick and fast and teams can require so much more than an extra body to eliminate their longstanding issues. People take their eye off the ball to look at the shiny things in the window. And it was amid a tale of Leeds United interest in a young man neither training nor playing, that actual Whites players went to play against Cardiff City in the FA Cup. Georginio Rutter was taken out of training by his club Hoffenheim on Sunday, in a very public fashion. The Bundesliga side expressed concerns over their duty of care to the interests of both the club and the player and though they did not name Leeds United, they referenced Saturday's breaking story about a Premier League outfit. So all...

Max Wober’s first Leeds United outing came at Cardiff City – but the Austrian international admitted “crazy” fans made it feel like he was somewhere else. Lee Sobot Wober joined Leeds from RB Salzburg on January 3 and made his first appearance in a Whites matchday squad when named amongst the substitutes for Sunday afternoon’s third round FA Cup clash at Cardiff. Speaking to ITV moments before kick-off, Whites boss Jesse Marsch revealed that he thought he’d be handing Wober his Whites debut from the bench but the American head coach won’t have enjoyed the circumstances in which the Austrian was brought on as one of three substitutions in the 59th minute. By then, Leeds were already 2-0 down yet Wober helped Leeds save their place in the competition as strikes from Rodrigo and a 93rd-minute equaliser from Sonny Perkins sealed a 2-2 draw. The latter’s strike sparked wild celebrations from 6,500 travelling Leeds fans in the away end, supporters whose presence made Wober feel like hi...

Leeds United came back from behind to draw away at Cardiff City in the Emirates FA Cup third round match on Sunday afternoon. The hosts were two goals ahead at the interval but Jesse Marsch’s side turned it around in the second half and rescued a stoppage team equaliser, courtesy of Sonny Perkins scoring his first senior goal for the club. The Whites will now face the Bluebirds at Elland Road in a replay later this month and the head coach gave his thoughts on the game and was also quick to praise the 6,000 travelling supporters at the Cardiff City Stadium. Marsch said: “I have to thank our fans. “Because I think without them being behind the goal where we were pushing and having so many of them, having their energy to stay in the match, I don't think we get ourselves back in. “So I think the fans deserve a lot of credit and we'll need that again back at Elland Road. “Obviously, we know there's an opportunity with the draw and everything that is laid out in fron...

A 2-2 draw means Leeds United will meet Cardiff City again at Elland Road later this month Sonny Perkins scored a dramatic late equaliser to keep Leeds United’s FA Cup hopes alive and seal a 2-2 draw at the Cardiff City Stadium. The Whites will meet Mark Hudson’s side at Elland Road later this month for a place in the fourth round. Winners Max Wober The Austrian was denied a debut from the start, but he emerged at the start of the second half and instantly looked the part in the middle of the park. He probably wasn’t signed to play in midfield, but he looked comfortable on the ball and gave the Whites something they had been missing in the first half. He was composed, he found his passes and he gave the midfield an aggressive edge, too, as he sat in the pocket and tried to dictate play. It wasn’t a perfect performance but it was a fine debut for the former Red Bull Salzburg man and it certainly bodes well moving forward as he hunts for his first start, which could come at A...