Sunderland’s resilient defensive display once again kept Leeds at bay as the lads picked up their 4th point of the season against Daniel Farke’s side this season in a goalless draw. How did the opposition fans view the game? I spoke to @TotallyLeeds to find out…
First and foremost, it’s just the one point you’ve taken from our fixtures this season. As a Leeds fan, what are the main things you’ve noticed about SAFC?
I’d say Sunderland are a very solid side defensively and structurally difficult to break down in a game where they’re trying to contain the opposition. One of the best sides defensively we have come up against this season and Dodds got it spot on in both games. However I do feel similarly to Leeds and Summerville, you have become over reliant in attack with Clarke. Last season anytime I saw Sunderland play, your attack possessed a much greater threat especially with Diallo and considering how close you came to promotion you’ve taken a step backwards this season and haven’t properly replaced some key players. Even since the game earlier in the season you have regressed offensively and I imagine the side misses Pritchard to dictate attacks which by the looks of it has forced Bellingham to play a role he’s not fully suited.
Whilst both Sunderland performances were massively defensive, have there been any players that have stood out for you?
It was definitely more of an all-round team performance but I did think Ekwah and Neil had really good games in midfield. Neil was a shout for man of the match, and seems like a quality player with the ability to play at a higher level. Ekwah put in some shift, the kind of performance that may go under the radar but left Leeds with no ideas by the end. Even though they got away with murder and had times you thought they could be walking, I will say both Ballard and O’Nein had impressive games at the heart of defence. I actually didn’t think he had his best game last night but I really think Hume is one of the best players in the division in his position. Proper defender and some find from the Irish League.
What were your main takeaways from last night’s game?
Tough to look past the refereeing performance! As impressive as Sunderland were defensively, I can't help but feel the game could easily have swayed into Leeds’ favour had the ref made a few different calls. Don’t feel many could argue Leeds should have had two penalties and Ballard also seemed to get away with a kick out on Bamford. I know every fan feels their club is hard done by refereeing decisions and no other club gets it as bad as their own, but when you look at the handball penalty shout in the second half, it really highlights just how poor Championship referees are. From a Leeds perspective it has raised a number of issues you do not want with four games left in a promotion push. Our inability to break down teams in a low-block, our reliance on Summerville and Farke’s game management has all come under fire, as ridiculous as it sounds after a 15 game unbeaten run.
With this game in mind, where do you think Sunderland’s frailties have come from this season?
From an outside perspective the club doesn’t seem settled. I thought Mowbray seemed like a good fit and was surprised when he got sacked, and with Beale the less said about him the better. It’s really tough to mount a promotion push without consistency at the helm. Also the side seems to have clear weaknesses. Diallo and Pritchard don’t seem to have been replaced meaning there’s an over reliance on Clarke and the absence of a creative spark centrally. There is the base of a club that should be challenging for promotion with Patterson, Ballard, O’Nien, Hume, Neil and Clarke but there seems to be a few missing links. The summer will be crucial to redirect the club in the right direction.
