Daniel Farke tells Willy Gnonto what he has to add to his game at Leeds United as ‘put a shift in’ verdict dropped
Daniel Farke told Willy Gnonto he needs to add “confidence” to his game at Leeds United and can only do so by putting “a shift in”.
Gnonto was restored to the lineup for only his seventh start of the season in the Championship as Leeds went down 1-0 to West Brom on 29 December.
The Italy international was expected to be a key performer for the Whites this term but has struggled for game time and has managed only one goal and one assist this term.
Farke, though, thinks Gnonto can still make a contribution this season.
In quotes reported by LeedsLive (1 January), Farke said: “It was a difficult start to the season for Willy and then sadly, there was also long-term injury on top for him.
“And, we have to say that especially in this position, Daniel James has had a brilliant season so far with many end products.”
“Willy has to put a shift in and has to work hard in training and he does work hard in training. He also works hard when we give him the chances in the games so the only thing that is missing right now is that he scores or that he is there with a decisive moment with assists also for his confidence, but he’s on the right path right now because he works hard.
“He just needs to add a bit for his confidence. There’s lots of competition for positions but hard work is always the answer.”
More needed
After all the furore and fuss over the will he, won’t he tranfer saga in the summer, what has followed from Gnonto has been, well let’s be honest, hugely disappointing from the youngster.
Gnonto has been unforunate in a sense. He has had injury trouble and the likes of Dan James and Crysencio Summerville have been two of Leeds’ top performers this season, so chances in the wide positions have been few and far between.
But it is on Gnonto to force the issue and get his name on the teamsheet and to be honest he just has not shown anywhere near enough when he has been on the pitch to justify working his way into the lineup.
He had another opportunity to impress against the Baggies and didn’t really grasp it (not that anyone really impressed in that game), so now it remains to be seen if he will be given another chance against Birmingham on Monday (1 January).
In other Leeds United news, January talks are already underway over a new left-back in January.