Sam Allardyce mooted to play Willy Gnonto in new role for Leeds United v Newcastle United
Sam Allardyce could play Leeds United ace Wilfried Gnonto “through the middle” against Newcastle United on Saturday (13 May), according to journalist William Jackson.
The Whites welcome the Magpies to Elland Road for a highly-anticipated Premier League clash.
Allardyce is seeking his first win as Leeds boss having lost 2-1 to Manchester City in his first match in charge last Saturday (6 May).
“Beyond Rodrigo and Bamford, Allardyce’s options are limited,” Jackson wrote for Leeds Live. “Of course, Georginio Rutter, who performed well for the U21s on Monday night, is available and can play up front, but he seems more suited to playing alongside a strike partner or on the flank.
“Wilfried Gnonto can also play through the middle, but he has been best utilised on either the right or left wing in the past. It’s a tricky call, but it’s one that has the potential to make or break the club’s hopes of survival at this point in the season.”
Talented options
Allardyce has clear talent in front of his eyes, with Rodrigo and Gnonto in particular able to light up the pitch when fully fit.
Bamford is also capable of producing moments of magic, but those have been few and far between from the injury-prone striker in recent seasons.
Newcastle will come out all guns blazing against the Whites in their pursuit of Champions League football, meaning the hosts will have to do a lot of defending throughout the game.
But that makes the role of the striker that bit more important, with Allardyce expected to sit back and take the pressure before launching counter-attacks.
A forward with pace will be key to that plan, but the manager also needs one capable of holding the ball up, and of course one who can find the back of the net with ease.
Gnonto should definitely start the match given his trickery and pace, with the youngster likely to continue on the wing, allowing either Rodrigo or Bamford to start in a central role.
In other Leeds United news, one Premier League manager has emerged as a potential candidate to take over as Whites boss for next season.