Leeds United 0 Sheffield Wednesday 0 – a frustrating afternoon. Watching Leeds dominate possession and line up the shots makes it so frustrating to end with a draw. But Leeds simply lacked intelligence in front of ten defenders – more patience is needed to find that moment.
This was a significant match for Leeds United – a Yorkshire derby playing the team at the bottom of the championship. One target was to keep a clean sheet. We have not had a clean sheet for a very long time, so in that sense a milestone. A busy last week with transfers who were brought on as subs but too late to make a difference. With Sinisterra sent out on loan very late Friday Summerville was given a start. The versatile and pacy Shackleton is chosen for the problematic position of Left Back.
It’s a quiet first half hour as Wednesday managed to frustrate Leeds. Whilst Leeds are a much improved team under Farke, more possession, more one touch forward play, but the final touch still remains lacking. Leeds spent time camped out on the edge of the Wednesday penalty box but were unable to find a gap through and struggling to get that final pass right.
The highlight of the first half was a sliding tackle taking out Summerville with the referee not even giving a foul. This is the championship. Minutes later Delgado slides into Gray and this time gives a yellow card.
Leeds finally wake up in the last ten minutes of the first half with Summerville working the ball and Rutter forcing a couple of saves. Opportunities are rare and Leeds snatch at chances instead of being on target.
The game opens up on 50 minutes with first effort on shot for Wednesday having three shots on target, their first of the match, with immediate response from Leeds with Rutter finding Summerville linking up then Gnonto finding Ayling, on goal.
Sensing a possible win Wednesday had a late flurry but it was Gnonto’s legitimate penalty claim that could have won the match. Ultimately Leeds lacked ideas – Amapadu’s passes into the penalty never found their man. When we could have scored Rutter’s lob could not even make it over their keeper. Despite Farke subbing on the new signings -Spence and Kamara –they could not change the game.
The addition of Rodon has made the Leeds defence stronger with Wednesday not able to find scoring opportunities. Ampadu and Gray work well together and dominate the middle of the park. Whilst Shackleton and Gnonto making runs forward and having shots but Piroe had few opportunities.
Man of the match: Jamie Shackleton
[…] Sheffield Wednesday last played Leeds United at the beginning of the season, when Leeds United were still finding their feet; they parked the bus in front of their goal and managed to force a draw. After Rotherham and Huddersfield Town, it is another Yorkshire derby that Leeds will need to be more hungry and clinical to gain the win; a tough ask when the team is showing signs of tiredness. […]