Daniel Farke admits Leeds could have made ‘a better start’ at QPR if one player was in his starting XI

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Leeds United drew 2-2 with Queens Park Rangers in their latest Championship tie.

Leeds suffer a promotion dent in England’s second division. The Yorkshire team finds itself on a tumultuous path after beginning the year with an impressive unbeaten run.

Leeds began brightly, asserting their dominance early on, with Joel Piroe sending his shot soaring over the bar in the first chance of the game. 

As QPR settled into the match, Leeds persisted in their attempts to push forward and deliver crosses, but they found themselves two goals down before the half-hour mark.

Thankfully for the Lilywhites, they clawed back. However, Daniel Farke is finding some squad selections to be giving him food for thought.

Daniel Farke’s decision to bring on Wilfried Gnonto paid off

A man who was rather the difference on the day was Wilfried Gnonto. He changed the game from the bench, and Farke even admitted that maybe he should’ve started.

Post-match, Farke spoke of Gnonto’s performance off the bench. “I was convinced he would make an impact,” he said.

“If I had opted for Ilia Gruev [to start the match], I would also have opted for Gnonto. Perhaps we would have had a better start if we had made those changes.

“The feeling is he’s playing more and more to create good situations in the centre, and that’s what he did in the second half.”

Despite Gnonto’s efforts Leeds ‘London curse’ persists after a frustrating afternoon at QPR.

Following the halftime break, Farke made a valuable decision, bringing on Gnonto for the struggling Brendan Aaronson, and the young Italian made an immediate influence.

He cleverly threaded a ball through QPR’s defence for Dan James to chase down the right-hand side.

James’s cut-back ricocheted off a foot, landing perfectly for Manor Solomon, whose first-time effort was expertly saved by Paul Nardi, only for the rebound to fall into the path of Jayden Bogle, who rolled it into the corner to bring them level.

Wilfried Gnonto continues to impress despite lack of games

Since arriving from Zurich in 2022, the 21-year-old has quickly become a fan favourite, praised for his immediate impact and vibrant character on the pitch.

Throughout the 2023/24 season, he established himself as a key figure on the right wing for Farke, a run of form that saw him net seven goals between February and mid-March 2024.

He contributed to a goal in Leeds’ stunning 4-0 victory over Norwich in the EFL Championship playoff semi-final in May that season, securing their place in the final at Wembley, where they ultimately lost to Southampton.

Despite not completing a full 90 minutes since September 2024 against Burnley, his spirit remains unshaken.

He has tallied five goals and provided five assists, with 22 shots on target and 589 successful passes.

In light of Farke’s comments after the QPR match, it certainly bodes well for the young talent, who could challenge the likes of Brenden Aaronson for his starting spot. 

Leeds’ next fixture is at home to Swansea on the 29th of March.