Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl offered a straightforward assessment following his team’s 2-0 defeat to Leeds United. The match at Hillsborough saw Leeds, eager to secure their first win of the season, assert their dominance from start to finish.
Wednesday entered the game buoyed by their recent 4-0 home triumph over Plymouth Argyle, leading fans to anticipate a strong performance.
However, expectations were tempered as Leeds showcased superior quality, keeping Wednesday at bay and limiting them to few clear-cut chances.
The final score mirrored an earlier encounter in March, highlighting persistent challenges the Owls face against their Yorkshire rivals.
Rohl, visibly perturbed by the result, addressed the shortcomings his side exhibited.
“We saw a good Leeds side with quality. Against a strong Leeds, you have to make a lot of things right and maybe in some situations, you need a little bit of luck,” he remarked.
The manager also pinpointed Wilfried Gnonto’s influence on the game, emphasizing the difficulties Wednesday encountered in containing him.
Rohl praised Gnonto’s performance, stating:
“I think it was difficult to press them today. I think Gnonto played unbelievable today. He was the playmaker, he created always the overload in the middle of the centre. It was difficult.”
Gnonto’s ability to drift inside from the left and disrupt Wednesday’s defensive structure was a key factor in Leeds’ control of the match.
Leeds’ victory was driven by goals from Brenden Aaronson and Dan James, with Mateo Joseph earning man of the match honors from Sky Sports for his outstanding link-up play and his assist for James’ first goal of the season.
“Joseph was excellent today, he was perfect,” Leeds manager Daniel Farke later commented, highlighting the importance of individual performances in securing the team’s first win.
Adding to the positive developments for Leeds, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed shortly after the match that the club is on the verge of signing Tottenham winger Manor Solomon.
Solomon is set to join Leeds on a season-long loan and is scheduled to undergo a medical today, 24 August. The 25-year-old chose to reject a bid from La Liga side Getafe to prioritize his career in England, making his impending move to Elland Road a significant acquisition.
Romano tweeted: “Manor Solomon set for medical tests at Leeds United on Saturday. He’s leaving Spurs after rejecting bid from Getafe as England has always been his priority. Deal at final stages with LUFC.”
This transfer follows Leeds’ recent acquisition of Largie Ramazani from UD Almeria on 22 August, signaling a renewed effort in the transfer market to strengthen the squad.
Leeds United’s recruitment strategy has become more active after a period of limited signings, with the club now looking to address gaps left by departing players such as Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, and Georginio Rutter.
The addition of Solomon, alongside Ramazani, underscores Leeds’ intent to bolster their squad depth and improve their competitiveness in the league.
Manager Daniel Farke is likely to view Solomon’s arrival as a crucial step in enhancing Leeds’ attacking options. With the transfer window still open, there is optimism that further reinforcements could be secured to build on the recent victory and address other positional needs.
“He’s exactly the type of profile we want to bring in. He’s a young box-to-box midfielder, athletic, dynamic, and I feel he has a bright future and can add real quality to the squad,” Farke might say, reflecting the club’s broader strategy of integrating young talent and promoting from within.
As Leeds United continues to navigate the challenges of the season, the integration of new signings like Solomon and Ramazani will be pivotal.
The recent win against Sheffield Wednesday has injected much-needed confidence into the team, and with additional reinforcements, Leeds aims to sustain this momentum and climb the league table in the coming weeks.