Daniel Farke has not been afraid to criticise Leeds United’s lack of cutting edge in the final third at times this season, and it was the same again after the 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.
The Whites were once again thoroughly dominant throughout but it wasn’t until the 95th minute that the three points were safely stored away.
Jayden Bogle had looked as though he’d set Leeds on their way to another easy home win inside the opening 20 minutes after finishing off a mad scramble inside the penalty box.
Leeds certainly didn’t create chance after chance following Bogle’s goal but could quite easily have put the game to bed way before Joel Piroe beautifully found the far corner in stoppage time.
Leigh Bromby believes Piroe is the only player in Leeds’ squad capable of showing that sort of composure in those areas, and he may well not be far wrong.
Farke criticises Wilfried Gnonto for ‘wasteful’ Leeds pass
Despite QPR sitting on the edge of their own box for most of the game, one of Leeds’ best chances in the second half actually came on the counter-attack.
A set-piece was cleared only as far as Wilfried Gnonto, who drove over half of the length of the pitch with the ball at his feet, before slipping Manor Solomon in one-on-one.
However, unfortunately the pass was slightly too far ahead of Solomon and so by the time he was able to get his shot away, goalkeeper Paul Nardi was right at his feet.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Farke believes that situation simply had to be a goal and was critical of Gnonto for the lack of quality on the pass.
He said: “Second half, central players have to carry all the burden because of the injuries. Had to adapt our style and not give chances away. QPR struggling with injuries, but they will finish in a better position than they are. Gave just two wide free-kicks away.
“We looked rock solid. Wasteful with the counter, Willy to Manor has to be a goal. Needs to be a tidier pass.”
Gnonto has been off it since October international break
Prior to the October international break, Gnonto had been on fire with both his performances and attacking numbers.
In the final three matches leading up to his time away with Italy U21s, Gnonto scored one goal and provided four assists.
However, in the six games that have followed since, Gnonto has managed to register just one assist, with a clear drop off in his performances to go with it.
Hopefully the next couple of weeks can provide him with the time to have a little reset, ready to go again for another busy period of fixtures.
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