Leeds United’s recent run of poor results has seen a number of players drop out of form and Danny Mills has urged one of those to “step up” tonight against Norwich City.
A crucial clash that will determine the success of the entire season takes place at Elland Road tonight, with Daniel Farke’s side looking to book their place in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on May 26.
The Whites gathered some momentum in the first leg with a 0-0 draw away from home. Leeds went into the first leg with only one clean sheet in eight, two straight losses and four defeats in the last six games.
But the 0-0 draw saw Farke make the right tactical move in bringing Archie Gray into midfield. While it saw Leeds less prominent in attack, it filled the gaps that were so obvious in the loss to Southampton.
Willy Gnonto though, did get involved on Sunday and played his part. A low cross for Georginio Rutter should have seen Leeds do better, before Gnonto arguably should have won a penalty after six minutes.
Speaking to TalkSPORT (Thursday, 8.40AM), former Leeds defender Mills thinks Gnonto now needs to take tonight’s game by the scruff of the neck and remind supporters of what he can do.
Mills says Leeds star Gnonto now needs to ‘step up’ tonight
Gnonto endured a difficult start to the season after requesting to leave the club, and refusing to play in games against Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and Shrewsbury Town as he tried to force a move.
But the Italy star worked his way back into the side and he was one of a handful of players that won their place back under Farke in January, going on a scoring spree of six goals in nine league games.
After missing games against Watford and Hull, Gnonto has managed just one goal in his last seven league games and three yellow cards in his last three. Mills says £3.8m signing Gnonto needs to “step up”.
“A few nerves, a huge turnover in players. Daniel Farke had to redo the whole squad, they started poorly but went on a brilliant run. They need their stars, they need Gnonto to step up,” Mills told TalkSPORT.
“The first game was very cagey and tonight will be similar. It will come down to two or three moments, have you got the confidence to put the ball in the back of the net when the ball comes your way.”
Daniel Farke explained why he took Gnonto off on Sunday
Gnonto got himself booked for clapping the referee after a frustrating first half in which he felt he should have had a penalty for a tackle on him by Borja Sainz, a decision which Scott Minto disagreed with, too.
That is why Farke chose to take him off in the second half, telling reports after the match that he thought the winger could get himself sent off and that is an area that Gnonto has got to get right on Thursday.
Many pundits often say play the game, not the occasions on nights like this and that is advice Gnonto must heed. He cannot let the pressure of the game get to his head, and instead let his feet do the talking.