Daniel Farke desperate to welcome back Leeds star, he’s haunted West Ham before
Leeds United will be desperate for three points after a disappointing defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor.
Their opponents, West Ham, were embarrassed by Brentford in a 2-0 defeat, albeit it could have been far worse, after goals from Igor Thiago and Mathias Jensen went unanswered at the London Stadium.
Mick Brown told Football Insider that Leeds want to sign a new striker in January, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin failing to deliver in front of goal, and Lukas Nmecha not an inspired signing.
Farke was without both Noah Okafor and Willy Gnonto for the clash against the Clarets, but that is no excuse for the defeat, and nothing less than three points on Friday, 24 October, will be enough.
Daniel Farke provides injury updates on Leeds United duo
Ahead of welcoming the Hammers to Elland Road, the manager spoke to the media about those available for the game, and fans will have been hoping for better news.
“Some late decisions. Noah and Willy are making progress, but have not completed team training this week so far. A few are struggling with illnesses, also question marks about Ethan and Pascal’s availability,” he said.
Gnonto has not featured since the middle of September, and while he played a reduced role in the Championship last season, he still managed to notch nine goals and six assists.
West Ham will be in no mood to face the 21-year-old winger at Elland Road, especially after the last time the two sides met in West Yorkshire, and Gnonto showed exactly what he is capable of.
Willy Gnonto could come back to haunt West Ham at Elland Road
In what was a dramatic four-goal thriller between the two sides at Elland Road last time, Gnonto got the game going in the 27th minute with a brilliant strike from the best part of 20 yards.
Lucas Paqueta, Gianluca Scamacca, and Rodrigo were all on target under the lights, and Gnonto’s goal was just one of the impressive efforts. He could reproduce exactly that on Friday, though.
With one draw and one loss to his name against the Hammers in his career, the young gem will be keen to add a win to that record, but only if he is fit enough to make the squad.
Nuno Espirito Santo has yet to get his team firing since replacing Graham Potter in the dugout, so now is the time for Farke’s biggest stars to take the reins and secure all three points at home.