Michael Owen baffled by Javi Gracia not bringing on Wilfried Gnonto in Leeds United draw v Leicester, Jermaine Beckford and Robbie Savage agree
Michael Owen has admitted that he found it “strange” that Javi Gracia didn’t bring on Wilfried Gnonto during Leeds United’s 1-1 draw with Leicester.
The Italy international has been one of the stand-out performers for the Whites this season but was an unused substitute on Tuesday at Elland Road (25 April) despite manager Gracia using only two of his allotted five subs during the game.
And speaking live on BT Sport (25 April, 21:59) immediately after the game Robbie Savage and Jermaine Beckford admitted their surprise at the decision with the team looking for a winner.
“Gnonto, I was surprised he didn’t come on today,” Savage said.
“I was disappointed he didn’t come on today,” Beckford admitted. “Very disappointed.
“He’s a fantastic talent and he’s one of those players who lifts the crowd, so why would you not bring him on? That surprised me.”
Michael Owen then added that he felt the Leeds fans were desperate to see him come on, and called it “strange” that Gracia opted against it.
“Gnonto was probably sung the most of any player today by the Leeds faithful and he didn’t even get on. That was a strange one.”
Crazy
It’s a truly crazy decision that Gracia opted not to bring on our best and most productive attacker in a must-win game at home when he’s supposedly fully fit.
After picking up a knock on international duty Gracia hinted that he had been protecting Gnonto in recent games as he wasn’t fully fit, but said he was now.
So the decision not only not to start him in games of this magnitude but to not use him at all is entirely baffling and the fans are rightly sick of it now.
We need points and the only way to get them is to outscore the opponent. He is our biggest hope of survival at this point and it seems as if Gracia is just being stubborn now to prove a point.
He should be starting every game and playing every minute he can because he makes things happen and gets the fans to help create that special atmosphere. Time is running out and we’re in danger.
In other Leeds news, scouts were present at a major European clash this weekend with a summer transfer mission underway.