After a mixed start to their Premier League campaign, Leeds United and Daniel Farke have been handed a number of injury issues ahead of their all-important clash against relegation rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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With one win and a draw in their first four games back in the Premier League, Leeds have shown plenty of promise when it comes to carving out narrow results.
But there’s still a long way to go before they break the trend of promoted clubs heading straight back down to the Championship. That didn’t stop Farke from praising his side’s defensive work ahead of their trip to Wolves, however.
“First of all, I am pretty happy that we are so rock solid in most periods during the Premier League season. This is always the key as a newly promoted side to give you a chance of survival.
“What we have to improve is our cutting edge, the outcome and efficiency to score more goals because the Premier League games are like this and if we are creating more chances than Everton, Newcastle and 75 minutes at Fulham are the better side, you have to make sure you reward yourself.
“This is the only thing I can criticise in what is missing but we had a similar topic at the start of last season, playing really good football and creating chances.”
Barring a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal, Leeds have kept a clean sheet against Everton and Newcastle and conceded just the one goal in a last-gasp defeat against Fulham last time out. Defensively, the Whites have been impressively stubborn.
It’s going forward that they’ve struggled. And recent injury news certainly won’t help in that regard. Farke confirmed that Dan James is a major doubt to face Wolves, whilst goalkeeper Lucas Perri is also sidelined alongside another key attacking talent.
Gnonto now facing late Leeds fitness test
As revealed by Farke, Wilfried Gnonto is also an injury doubt to face Wolves and could deal Leeds’ frontline another frustrating blow. So often the bright spark in what has been a blunt attack so far this season, Gnonto’s absence would hand Wolves a major boost and deal the Whites more trouble in front of goal.
It’s not just those at Elland Road who have been impressed by Gnonto over the years, either. The last time that Leeds were in the Premier League, it was Manchester United legend Gary Neville who was leading the praise for the winger.
The former defender said: “Sometimes you see potential and talent but watching him so closely, his understanding of where to be, his choice of pass, when to run with it, his awareness of teammates, really good honestly.”
Ex-Leeds star Jermaine Beckford also described Gnonto as “direct” in what is the trait that Leeds are likely to miss the most if he is sidelined against Wolves this weekend.