Three things we learned from Leeds United’s clash against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Leeds United had to settle for another point from Sunday’s trip to bottom of the table Sunderland as the contest ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

It meant a fifth Whites draw from their eight Premier League games played so far this season. Here are three things we learned as the Whites and Black Cats left with a point apiece.

The value of Anton Stach and Noah Okafor - and James Trafford, again

Stach and Okafor have long since established themselves as two of United’s key men although it’s fair to say that both have been below their best in recent weeks. But you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone as the saying goes and that proved the case against Sunderland with Leeds badly missing both players as they both dropped to the bench after suffering injuries in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at home to Manchester United. The absence of Stach more or less led to Dominic Calvert-Lewin being flanked by two attacking midfielders/wingers in Harry Wilson and Brenden Aaronson as opposed to being support by just the one other forward in Okafor ahead of a three-man centre midfield - albeit with Stach playing in an advanced centre midfield role. Had it worked, it might have led to Calvert-Lewin receiving more support. But instead he appeared even more isolated with Leeds badly missing Okafor’s pace, skill and flair but also badly in need of another body in centre midfield in Stach. Farke finally decided to bring both of them on in the 65th minute and it’s no coincidence that Leeds then improved, albeit the bar was set pretty low. Farke had named an unchanged side for the last five games heading to Sunderland and this was another reminder why. It was also another illustration of how strong Leeds are in defence and in particular in goal through James Trafford who played a key role in Leeds taking a point, not that Trafford being very good is any great surprise any more. After a shaky start, Jaka Bijol also played his part in helping Leeds to their clean sheet in replacing the unwell Nico Elevdi in the other change.

Aaronson and Wilson together didn’t work and ‘two up top’ better

Aaronson and Wilson were the two men to benefit from Stach and Okafor dropping to the bench as part of an attacking line up but there’s no disguising the fact that both were disappointing and especially Aaronson who failed to offer much at all. It should be remembered that Aaronson has produced big moments and big goals for Leeds but it’s been a while since he made a big telling contribution and this was definitely a big chance that was not taken. Despite Calvert-Lewin being flanked by Wilson and Aaronson, Leeds just looked too lightweight either side of him and it was no surprise that both players were taken off in the 65th minute and indeed more of a surprise that the change didn’t happen sooner. Wilson enjoyed an absolutely brilliant season with Fulham last year and Leeds pulled off another blinder of a free transfer signing in getting him for nothing in the summer as his contract at Fulham expired. There’s no doubting what he is capable of but he’s yet to get going at Leeds at all and it’s a bit of a head scratcher as to how Farke can get the best out of him. Formation wise, Leeds definitely look better with three centre midfielders and two upfront.

Sean Longstaff worth a go

Starting Longstaff is hardly an alien concept as it should be remembered that the ex-Newcastle United star was a regular in the XI during the first half of last season and indeed one of United’s most impressive players. Longstaff has had to settle for very limited minutes from the bench of late or even being an unused substitute but the 28-year-old made a decent enough impression as a late sub in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Man United and he did even more against Sunderland despite only coming on in the 89th minute. Longstaff twice went close to bagging a winner for his side with one shot that was tipped wide and another that was blocked, the midfielder offering an attacking threat that is often overlooked. Quite who he would replace would remain to be seen as Ethan Ampadu is obviously a no brainer starter and Ao Tanaka has generally been in decent nick of late but Longstaff definitely looks worth a go.