Grayson taking note of substitute Somma’s approach and goals

The South African international took his tally of goals to 12 from just 11 games by netting an equaliser that ensured Leeds claimed a 2-2 draw against Norwich City to remain sixth in the Championship.

Somma latched onto a flicked header by Luciano Becchio to volley an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper John Ruddy and extend United’s run to just one defeat in 19 league outings.

He said: “That is probably my best goal of this season.

“It was a really good combination between me and Luciano. The ball then took an age to come down and, to be fair, I thought I was going to get smashed by the defender.

“But, thankfully not. It was my first touch and it was a great feeling when the ball hit the net.

“In training, that is all we do – practice shooting. It helps as in games we might only get one chance so it is important to take it.”

Somma’s 75th-minute equaliser extended his own scoring streak to five goals in his last six league appearances, only two of which have come when in the starting line-up.

It also means the 25-year-old, who earlier this month netted his first international goal in a win over Kenya, is United’s second top scorer despite having made half his 22 appearances this season from the bench.

Asked if he would be knocking on manager Simon Grayson’s door to demand a start in tomorrow’s Yorkshire derby against Barnsley, Somma said: “You have got to respect the manager’s decision.

“I am just here to help the team and whenever he calls on me, I am ready.

“I have not been beating down the manager’s door; it is his decision.

“Getting upset about it isn’t going to help. It’s scoring the goals that’s keeping me going.

“I would like to start but I am enjoying it right now. I just want to help the team.”

Grayson admits Somma can consider himself unlucky not to have made more starts this term.

He said: “It depends on who we have been playing. Two weeks ago we played Coventry and went 4-4-2. He played and scored the goal.

“I left him out last week because he had been to South Africa on international duty. Against Norwich, it was a tactical decision because we wanted an extra body in midfield because of the way they play with the diamond formation.

“He is a great lad and he has never once complained. He understood when I left him out last weekend and he understood again this time.

“He has got a fantastic attitude and he is a team player. He appreciates what we have done by bringing him to this club and what we have made him.

“But he is a great lad to work with and he will only get better.

“I wouldn’t know his goals ratio to minutes on the pitch but he can’t be far away from a goal a game now. That is a fantastic effort.”

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