"Did little" - Leeds United fans on Sunderland point and 'adequate' replacement but 'better choice' and must

Leeds United had to settle for another point as Sunday’s clash at bottom-of-the-table Sunderland ended in a goalless draw - but what did the club’s fans think? Here is what our YEP Jury had to say including views on an “adequate” replacement but better choice, valuable point take and team must.

MIKE GILL

As the Wearside wind whipped across the pitch, it soon became apparent that this game was never going to be a classic.

It was an ugly energy-sapping war of attrition which was not helped by the fact that United had to start the game without Nico Elvedi, Noah Okafor and Anton Stach.

Jaka Bijol proved to be an adequate replacement for Elvedi but Brenden Aaronson struggled with the conditions and the more muscular Sean Longstaff might have been a better choice in midfield. Similar could be said about Harry Wilson who has still to fulfil his potential.

Sunderland came closest in the first half with James Trafford twice denying their dangerous hit man Brian Brobbey.

Trafford was also on his toes in the second half making two more fine saves from Nilson Angulo.

Tarik Muharemovic came close with a header for the Whites and Ao Tanaka shot narrowly wide before Sean Longstaff was involved in a late goalmouth scramble which almost produced a winner.

Before this match is happily wiped from the memory bank it has to be said that it was a fair result and another valuable point.

Man of the match: James Trafford.

“Will look better once Sunderland climb the table”

DAVID WATKINS

A few days ahead of this game, it looked like one to be won, but in hindsight, knowing we were three players down from our regular XI and in difficult conditions, maybe it was one not to lose after all.

Having said that, it was a sluggish first half from Leeds against a team that looked sharp and intent on putting an end to their current Premier League losing streak.

Leeds failed to get a shot on target before the break, but equally Sunderland only managed a couple of efforts from the ever-dangerous Brian Brobbey – a low shot from the edge of the box and a run through the heart of the Leeds area, both dealt with by James Trafford.

Leeds got better as the second half went on, and but for a bit of luck, we might have nicked it at the end with a couple of efforts from Sean Longstaff and a decent shout for a penalty as Luke O’Nien barged over Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Before then, there were half chances for Ao Tanaka and Brenden Aaronson too, while James Trafford was needed to keep out a couple of efforts from Angulo.

Overall, another decent point on the road that will look better once Sunderland climb the table.

Man of the match: James Trafford.

“Must now turn promising performances into victories before too long”

KEITH INGHAM

Leeds United had to settle for a goalless draw against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, in a game where strong winds made life difficult for both sides.

Daniel Farke’s side started well as Dominic Calvert-Lewin led their attack as Leeds looked to build on their recent performances and climb further up the Premier League table.

The difficult conditions played their part, with the wind making passing and crossing unpredictable.

Sunderland threatened through Brian Brobbey, but Trafford was alert to push his effort around the post.

Leeds came closest to breaking the deadlock after the interval. Ao Tanaka’s effort was saved by Robin Roefs, and Calvert-Lewin went for the rebound, only for Sunderland to scramble the ball clear. Leeds appealed for a penalty, but the referee waved play on.

Despite late pressure, neither side could find the breakthrough, although substitute Sean Longstaff did his best but his late effort was superbly saved by Roefs.

Leeds will be disappointed not to have taken all three points but a clean sheet away from home is a positive.

The Whites must now turn promising performances into victories before too long.

Man of the match: James Trafford.

“The others had little opportunity and did little to impress”

NEIL GREWER

A point and clean sheet from a Premier League away game is generally accepted as a decent result, especially for a recently-promoted side, so we take the point and move on.

Leeds were not at their best in this massively wind-impacted game which will not go down as a game to remember.

Daniel Farke was forced into three changes with Jaka Bijol, Harry Wilson and Brenden Aaronson given opportunities to shine, albeit in tricky inclement weather.

Let’s just say Bijol was solid after a shaky start whilst the others had little opportunity and did little to impress.

James Trafford gets the man-of-the-match accolade due to his efficiency and safe hands, without making any fantastic saves.

The wind impacted his distribution, but the weather cannot influence his aura and calm persona.

Leeds managed only a few attempts on goal, with late substitute Sean Longstaff having one of the best ones.

For Sunderland, Noah Sidiki had a solid game with several impressive blocks.

Being positive, the injured/ill Leeds players should be available to start the next game, and Leeds are in seventh place with more points than games played.

Man of the match: James Trafford.

EVAN SEAMAN

The first real chance fell to Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey who fired his shot towards goal on the edge of the box, but Leeds shot stopper James Trafford read it well and parried the ball away.

Leeds nearly found themselves in trouble when Jaka Bijol lost the ball from a sloppy pass, but Trafford made a good decision to not commit himself with Brobbey and snuffed out the danger.

Leeds were growing into the game in the second half and their first shot on target came from a corner when big centre-back Tarik Muharemovic headed towards goal, but Robin Roefs made a decent save.

Then Jayden Bogle went in for a tackle late with studs up and was a tad fortunate to only get a yellow card, rather than a red.

Leeds had another opportunity late on when lively midfielder Ao Tanaka had a shot at goal on the edge of the box, but Roefs got down well to save it

.Despite a flurry of late chances for Leeds, neither side could get all three points after a blood and thunder game.

Man of the match: James Trafford.