James Trafford outlines Leeds United squad 'mindset' after fifth Premier League draw

Leeds United goalkeeper James Trafford believes disappointment in taking a point from Sunderland is evidence of how far the club have progressed.

Trafford played a crucial role in Sunday’s 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light, producing a string of fine saves to keep an all-important clean sheet. The goalkeeper’s smothering of Brian Brobbey was particularly impressive while he also confidently claimed several crosses in the swirling Storm Boelo winds.

But the feeling after full-time was disappointment, with Leeds unable to click in the final third and again made to settle for just the point. While an optimist might point to one league defeat in eight, others see just two wins and points dropped against a trio of strugglers in Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Sunderland.

“Yeah, it shows the level of us [that we’re disappointed],” Trafford said. “It shows how far the club has progressed, given the second season, and we're away from home, and we believe we could have won. So yeah, it shows that we're going in the right direction.

“I think every team that draws, if you can turn them into wins, then you're in a great position and it's something that we're trying to do and trying to improve on. So, yeah, every game we go in to try and win, regardless of who we're playing, and that's the mindset we have.

“Yeah, we go every day to just try and improve. The more days you win the better stage you're in for the long run.”

Leeds struggled to create anything of note for large parts of the game on Sunday with arguably their two best chances falling to late substitute Sean Longstaff. The midfielder replaced Ao Tanaka in the 89th minute and twice came close to snatching a winner over the rivals of boyhood club Newcastle United.

Longstaff struck a decent left-footed effort towards the bottom corner almost instantly after his arrival, with Robin Roefs tipping round the post at full stretch. The Leeds man then almost stabbed home a 94th-minute winner but was left frustrated when his effort appeared to be blocked by teammate Lukas Nmecha,

“Yeah, he obviously had two chances,” Trafford reflected.. “They were two great strikes from him, and on another day they go in. He was really, really good when he came on, and it's the strength of the squad that when we bring players on, we improve.”