Leeds United are under real pressure to get something from their trip to Wolves on Saturday, if not an outright win. While four points from four games is not a shabby start to the Premier League season, the lack of goals and creativity is grating on everyone around Elland Road.
The Whites have not scored in the league since Lukas Nmecha converted the penalty against Everton last month, and are yet to find the back of the net from open play. There are real concerns about the team’s ability to score the goals needed to survive in the Premier League this season.
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Adam Underwood and their recruitment team are in the line of fire for some muddled transfer decisions, including wasting money on back-up defenders who are hardly going to play this season, unless there is a serious injury crisis at the back.
On the backdrop of a mini turmoil, Leeds will take on a Wolves side on Saturday who have lost their opening four league games, and the pressure is on the away side to get something from their trip to Molineux in the coming days.
Can you name the team Leeds United signed these players from in the 2000s?
Daniel Farke must bring back Wilfried Gnonto and drop Brenden Aaronson
Leeds failed to deliver the extra wide player that Farke demanded in the transfer window, but they believe they have enough depth in that area of the squad.
However, Farke has already pointed out that some of those same wingers were in the team when Leeds were relegated from the Premier League in 2023.
Regardless of the manager’s comments, a change is needed in that eleven, and the Leeds boss must throw caution to the wind against Wolves.
With Dan James out injured, Wilfried Gnonto must be brought in to replace Brenden Aaronson in the team, who has looked a little better in the wide areas than he did in the number 10 role during pre-season.
The Italian winger is a far more attacking threat than Aaronson, who is mainly admired for his work rate rather than any glorious ability to create or score goals.
Gnonto will add a little more unpredictability to the Leeds eleven, which looked bereft of any invention and Okafor and him on both wings make the Whites look a little more forward-thinking.
Gnonto has also been defensively better than Aaronson
The argument to play Aaronson is that he provides more defensive cover in the wide areas, and his work rate helps the team to remain compact. However, the numbers suggest otherwise.
Gnonto has played 36 more minutes than the American this season, but both have put in nine tackles – Gnonto has won seven and Aaronson, six. The Italian has also overshadowed his teammate in blocks made, with five compared to Aaronson’s 2.
He has also made two more interceptions than Aaronson (11 vs nine).
There is little argument for Aaronson to start over Gnonto against a Wolves team that will be under pressure at home on Saturday.
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