The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 9th March) Has Gnonto been found out
Has Gnonto been found out
According to Leeds Utd journalist Phil Hay, Willy Gnonto's dip in form has been put down to opposition Managers specifically changing tact, and in some cases double of triple teaming the young Italian, i order to keep him quiet.
Since joining on deadline day last Summer, Gnonto has been a revelation. Single-handedly, the 19yo has been our most creative player by a Country mile, and by cutting off his supply route, or marking him out of the game, the cogs refuse to turn. According to Hay:-
"Gnonto is somebody they’re going to need some output from before the end of the season. I think what I’ve noticed from him, and I guess the issue for him, is that it does seem after that period where he could do no wrong and was having such a big impact on games it does seem as though analysts and managers across the league have applied a clear eye to that and said this is somebody we need to keep a handle on and somebody we need to negate, double up on and whatever it is we do to stop him having the freedom of the pitch.”
Three from five to face the drop according to leading bookies
Bournemouth (1/3), Southampton 1/2) and Everton 10/11 are destined for the Championship, according to leading bookmakers Bet365. Although only two points from safety, the South Coast pair have been odds on favourites for the drop all season. Almost a third of Leeds points this season have come against them.
Leeds (13/8)maybe above Everton on goal difference, but the Merseysiders have picked up four points from their West Yorkshire rivals this season. Even so, this makes no difference to the odds.
14th place Nottingham Forest are next in line at 7/4, even though they are four points clear of Leeds and Everton.
Where will Leeds points come from
Leeds will need points from Bournemouth, Wolves, Crystal Palace, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Leicester if they are to survive this season. With 13 games left, time is running out for the Whites to drag themselves to safety. Lets not forget, they still face Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City.
Leeds remaining opponents have an average league position of 9.5, slightly easier than Everton (9.1), but with with just one win under their belts since November 5th last year, they need to be picking up points now!
Run-in difficulty based on current average league position of opponents
Southampton (19th) - 8.2
Nottingham Forest (14th) - 8.3
Everton (18th) – 9.1
Leeds (17th) – 9.5
West Ham (16th) – 9.8
Wolves (13th) – 10.3
Bournemouth (20th) – 11.2
Leicester (15th) – 11.2
Crystal Palace (12th) – 11.8