Daniel Farke bailed out of awkward Leeds United player meeting after 'difficult call'

Replacing arguably your most valuable footballer in the line-up after 15 straight league starts with a misfiring loanee is always going to put a manager under the spotlight. Wilfried Gnonto had not been at his best for a few weeks, but Daniel Farke certainly took a risk in swapping him for Manor Solomon with Leeds United on Sunday.

Gnonto’s consistency may have waned since the October international break, but Solomon has struggled for minutes and form since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur. In the first game after the most recent pause, it was a gamble from Farke which paid off.

The Israeli was hardly awe-inspiring, but got into the right place at the right time with the right finish on two occasions. As one of the four attackers, he’s there to bury chances and, ultimately, guide United to victory.

Even Gnonto, with 16 minutes from the bench, would score for the first time since September 28 and land one of the most dramatic victories of Farke’s tenure. The German, naturally, gave them all the credit as he was saved from some inevitable criticism had it backfired.

“It's always a difficult call and, of course, you can have an idea as a manager,” he said. “He (Solomon) had a bit of a rusty start after his injury and needed a bit of time to come in, but he looked sharp during this week in training and it feels like he's gaining some momentum.

“The gut feeling was he could create something special today, but one thing is you can have an idea as a manager. It's more like it's always up to the players to fulfil it.

“It’s the same a bit with Willy Gnonto. He was there with good performances in the last games, but also it’s eight games without a goal and sometimes leaving him on the bench, it takes a bit of the weight off his shoulders.

“Then you bring him in and he finds it easy to score. You can have a gut feeling and have an idea as a manager it will go perhaps this way, but it's totally up to the players to deliver.

“How they delivered in this case, Manor and also Willy, was excellent. All the compliments go to them. They were fantastic for us.”

READ MORE: Leeds United show Ipswich streak Championship rivals will hate as Farke plays with fire and wins

READ MORE: Farke's dressing room music bemusement, telling Leeds United chant and moments missed

Solomon’s haul could well prove to be the spark which now lights up his loan spell as an attacking force. The ketchup bottle, as Farke mused at Ashton Gate, could have unblocked in Swansea.

The international break seemed to play into the 25-year-old’s hands too. Not only did Solomon play well in two starts for Israel, but he was back in time for a full week’s preparation before the Wales trip, while Gnonto was with Italy until Wednesday morning at the earliest.

“Each and every player wants to play 90 minutes, but we have 46 games in the league, two cup competitions and also, for many of our players, international games on international duty,” he said. “They have to accept they can't start each and every game.

“We had also discussions during this week. I also explained it a little bit. Of course, he would have preferred to start because Willy wants to start each and every game, but I also gave him a bit of the reason I would take this decision always.

“First of all, the gut feeling was Manor was creating a bit of momentum. He was also with us the whole week, had a proper training week. Willy was involved, last Tuesday, still on a game for his international country.

“He was also struggling with some physical problems during the last two weeks and it felt a bit like it's time, right now, to give him also a little rest, also to put the weight a bit from his shoulders because he's an intelligent young boy. Of course, he's overthinking sometimes the situation when you are eight games without a goal or also in the last six games with just one assist.

“I was pleased with his performances. I told him ‘No, no, you're on the right path performance-wise and keep going like this, goals will come.’ Thank God he was rewarded today for his excellent performances and his excellent attitude at the moment.

“It’s a crucial goal today, he’s in the spotlight and he fully deserves it.”

The manager is now left with a tricky decision tomorrow night. Daniel James, Solomon and Gnonto all came away from Sunday with attacking contributions. They will all want to start against Luton Town.