Skubala’s gesture
Before every game at Elland Road, a small number of children gather at the bottom of the West Stand in the hope of capturing the players’ attention as they mill about on the field before the team news filters through. Tuesday night was no different, but they were luckless when it came to the first wave of first-teamers who walked back down the tunnel, seemingly unaware of the youngsters wanting pictures and autographs.
However, with the help of first-team coach Michael Skubala, the children managed to meet Wilfried Gnonto and Georginio Rutter before kick-off. Stopping to talk them himself, Skubala gestured to the pair in the centre circle before walking over and directing them to the West Stand touchline after a brief chat.
Neither man played a minute on Tuesday night but they made the day of 20-or-so kids before kick-off.
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Beckford serenaded
Jermaine Beckford was on BT Sport duty on Tuesday and before the game he could be seen working in various spots, alongside Robbie Savage, Michael Owen and presenter Jack Humphrey. Of course, Beckford spent time at both Leeds and Leicester during his playing days, making him one of the obvious candidates to be brought in to offer an opinion on the game.
Spotting Beckford walking towards them before kick-off, the South Stand burst into song, belting out the ex-striker’s Elland Road chant, which makes reference to the goal he scored in the FA Cup win over Old Trafford in 2010. Funnily enough, Savage didn’t get such friendly treatment.
Beckford only spent five seasons at Leeds, but he is still considered a legend at the club, bagging 71 goals in 126 league appearances.
Rodrigo pumped
It’s fair to say Leeds were fired up from the start against the Foxes, but there was no one more pumped than Rodrigo, who spent the first half of the game charging around the field, hounding defenders and putting his body on the line. His desire to claim the points was made immediately obvious in the first half as he sprinted over to the East Stand touchline to make a block.
After seeing the ball dead he roared to the crowd before passionately booting the ball into the stand. The supporters responded with a cheer of their own before singing his name in unison.
Maddison responds
After going over on the edge of the Leeds United box to win a free-kick, the South Stand took the opportunity to let their feelings regarding James Maddison known. In unison they chanted a word that cannot be repeated by LeedsLive, but the England international seemed to lap it up.
Waving his hands encouragingly before cupping his ears, Maddison saw the funny side before firing the set-piece high and wide. Another cheer went up as the ball hit the terrace behind Illan Meslier’s goal and Maddison, with a wry smile, shrugged his shoulders in the direction of the supporters giving him pelters.
Gnonto frustration
Javi Gracia’s use of Wilfried Gnonto has been heavily criticised in recent weeks with the head coach seeing the Italy international as a bit-part player rather than a key man. His minutes have been severely limited but many felt that given the goal threat he provides he simply had to start against Leicester.
It was a huge source of frustration for supporters to see him named on the bench yet again and they were even more perplexed when, despite being sent to warm up, Gnonto was overlooked by Gracia when goalscorer Luis Sinisterra limped off in the first half. Crysencio Summerville, who in fairness played well, came on for the Colombian but his arrival was met with chants of Gnonto’s name.
Every time Gnonto stepped down the line to warm up, a spiky cheer went up from the south west corner of the ground, but Gracia never gave in to the pressure and the teenager was left unused.
Support for Meslier
The criticism directed at Illan Meslier in recent weeks has been vast. He was one of several men to come under scrutiny after heavy defeats to both Crystal Palace and Liverpool and his actions at Craven Cottage on Saturday led to two Fulham goals.
As such, the notion of dropping him for Joel Robles was favoured by many. Gracia stuck by his man, though, and his faith was rewarded with a fine performance between the sticks that could be encapsulated by a world class double save in the second half to deny Kelechi Iheanacho.
Fans around the ground took the opportunity to give Meslier a standing ovation when play came to a halt and his name was sung by the South Stand. It was a real moment of appreciation for the Frenchman, who showed his mettle in that moment.
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