Martin Keown urges Leeds United to simplify attacking play to bring best out of Patrick Bamford v Southampton
Martin Keown has urged Leeds United attackers Willy Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville to “simplify their play” to get the best out of Patrick Bamford against Southampton, he wrote for the Daily Mail.
The Whites head into the relegation showdown (Saturday 25 February) at Elland Road on the back of a dire 1-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park but have been buoyed by the arrival of new manager Javi Gracia this week.
Although Leeds have scored 28 goals in 23 games this season – by no means the worst record – the first-team has failed to find the back of the net in four of their last five Premier League matches.
Writing in his column for the Daily Mail (24 February), Keown admitted the raucous atmosphere at Elland Road may have whipped the players up into a frenzy in recent weeks but has urged two of the Whites’ summer signings to play with their heads against the Saints.
He wrote: “Wingers Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville both have a box of tricks with plenty of pace, but if you mark them tight, you can starve Leeds of any supply line to Patrick Bamford.
“Both Gnonto and Summerville need to simplify their play and get the ball into the box for Bamford quicker, or link up with the striker and go for goal.
“Elland Road is such an atmospheric ground, it has perhaps led the Leeds’ players to become frantic in their play when in the final third.
“Tomorrow their forwards need to find a calmness and composure to show their class and secure a much-needed win, otherwise they will be left relying on a miracle to avoid relegation.”
Goals needed
Although the frantic and direct attacking style worked brilliantly under Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road, it never had the same ring about it under Jesse Marsch. Although the Whites are stacked with talent in attack, including the likes of Gnonto and Summerville, they are often a little wasteful when it comes to the final product.
Gnonto has been a standout figure for Leeds in recent weeks, and at 19 years of age, not too much can be expected of him, but he will know he can improve on his two goals scored in the Premier League so far this season.
If the young Italian and others such as Jack Harrison can get into positions of promise in the final third, take a breath and lift their heads, they will see Bamford taking up promising positions. If they get the ball to his feet in dangerous positions, the injury-prone striker will score goals, with his finishing ability having never been doubted at Leeds.
In other Leeds United news, the club is now eyeing a golden opportunity to sign a 140-goal striker in the summer.
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