Shaun Wright-Phillips says he was ‘surprised’ Sam Allardyce didn’t start Wilfried Gnonto during Leeds United’s 2-2 draw against Newcastle United on Saturday.
The 19-year-old has been a breath of fresh air for a relegation-threatened Leeds side this season, but after their 2-1 defeat in Sam Allardyce’s first game in charge against Manchester City last week, his all-action winger was back on the bench.
When Javi Gracia was still in the Elland Road dugout, many were questioning why Wilfried Gnonto’s minutes started to reduce when the club’s chances of getting relegated were increasing.
Therefore, it wasn’t a surprise to the Yorkshire faithful that, as soon as Allardyce walked through the doors, Gnonto was back in the starting XI.
The rising teenager was hooked off just after the hour mark against Man City and played an effective 28 minutes against Eddie Howe’s Champions League-chasing side yesterday.
For Shaun Wright-Phillips, he expected the ‘dangerous’ Gntono from the start, as he told BBC Sport.
“Their fight was tremendous, especially in the first half when they just made it horrible for Newcastle,” said Wright-Phillips. “They were really in their faces. Giving away fouls. Running the clock down and causing problems at the end.
“I was a bit surprised that Gnonto didn’t start myself. But when he came on and he looked dangerous as well.”
GNONTO TO START AT WEST HAM?
Even though Leeds faced a Newcastle side expected to finish in the top four this season, at home, they were still expected to be on the front foot in their search for three points.
Away at West Ham next week, the remit will be the same, but perhaps they can counter David Moyes’ side a lot more, which would bring Leeds’ counter-attacking threat into play and allow someone like Gnonto to cook, if he starts – Hammers coach, Kevin Nolan, is expecting the Italy start to explode under Allardyce.
The issue with Leeds is that they need the points at the London Stadium because there is every chance, if they lose and other results go against them, then they are down and out.
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