Painful James Trafford contribution & prizefighter announcement in Leeds United off-cam moments vs Sunderland

Leeds United and Sunderland played out a very forgettable 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light on Sunday. Hampered by swirling winds as a result of Storm Boelo, neither side were able to provide the quality needed to break the deadlock with spoils shared.

The point leaves Leeds seventh in the Premier League, with both one defeat in eight games but no wins in their last four, depending on how you want to look at it. Here’s the YEP take...

Good day

James Trafford

In a game of such little attacking quality, keeping a clean sheet was always going to be hugely important and Leeds have Trafford to thank for their point. The goalkeeper’s four saves were all ones you’d expect him to make but good stops nonetheless, particularly when smothering a Brian Brobbey effort to get Jaka Bijol and Harry Wilson out of jail. Trafford was by far and away the game’s best player and once again, earned his side a point. That’s what Leeds paid the big bucks for.

Bad day

Harry Wilson

Sunday felt like a big chance for Wilson with Anton Stach and Noah Okafor only fit enough for the bench, but the highly-anticipated summer arrival flattered to deceive again. Frustrating from a Leeds perspective was the perceived lack of confidence or ambition to even try something creative, often just passing backwards or taking too long and losing possession. It’s not happening for Wilson at the minute and Sunday was poor, but it’s still early days.

Brenden Aaronson

It’s not early days for Aaronson though and Sunday was another tough watch. Swirling winds and an aggressive Sunderland side didn’t present a perfect environment for the American but like Wilson, his contribution in the final third was virtually non-existent in the first-half. A nice spin around halfway and good pass out wide was an encouraging moment shortly after the break but that was about it - and it wasn’t near being enough.

Stuart Attwell

When both sets of fans are growing more frustrated at your every decision, it’s a bad day and Attwell made some truly perplexing calls across the 90 minutes. Buying Luke O’Nien’s best Ayling flop impression from 40 yards away when his assistant, within touching distance of the incident, didn’t flag for a foul was a sign of things to come. It got worse in the second-half when the referee somehow deemed O’Nien elbowing his own teammate Nordi Mukiele in the throat as a Sunderland free-kick only to change his mind and give a drop-ball as the defender received medical treatment. A mess.

Off-camera moments

Fans getting knocked around by wind gusts on their way down the Keel Crossing bridge towards the stadium. It really did batter you out in the open.

A few giggles inside the media room as journalists and Stadium of Light staff members watched Manchester United lose 3-0 at home to Bournemouth on the TV’s dotted about the place.

Alex Cairns absolutely leathering a shot over the bar as the starters arrived for shooting practice. He was unable to show Calvert-Lewin, Wilson and others how it’s done but it was a fierce strike.

Ao Tanaka’s usual pre-match routine of high kick-ups while glancing over either shoulder becoming a fair bit more challenging in the wind.

A few journalists - present company included - looking a little short of breath as they finally reached the press box at the summit of the Stadium of Light. It was right up in the gods and there were many, many stairs.

Trafford taking a Brobbey boot in a very painful area as he smothered the Sunderland striker through on goal. A still image taken at the moment of impact was enough to make the stomach turn.

Sean Longstaff screaming in frustration after coming close not once but twice in his action-packed three minutes plus added-time cameo. A winner at Sunderland would have been some moment.

Both managers getting a Prizefighter introduction for their post-match press conferences. “Ladies and gentleman, the Leeds United manager,” a Stadium of Light staff member announced as Farke came through the door. The Whites boss enjoyed it too.