Yorkshire Live looks at some of the takeaways to emerge from Saturday’s goalless Yorkshire derby at Elland Road as

Xisco Munoz’s side picked up their first point

 

 

The haves and the have-nots

A quick glance over the teamsheets when they landed at 2pm would have told you all you need to know about the

division Wednesday are now operating in.

Leeds’ front three of Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto and Georginio Rutter cost a combined £40million. Of

Wednesday’s three attackers who started at Elland Road – Josh Windass, Lee Gregory and Michael Smith – two of

them were signed on frees.

 

 

It was a stark reminder of the different markets both clubs have found themselves working in in recent times and of

the disparity that the Championship contains. However, football is played out on grass not balance sheets. And

whilst Leeds dominated possession and forged the better chances, the fact is that they could not force their way past

a resolute and bloody-minded Wednesday team.

 

Defensive nous

As referenced, the Owls showed plenty of grit and solidity here. And they needed to in front of a hostile crowd in the

white-hot atmosphere of a White Rose derby.

 

 

Early doors it looked as though the visitors were flustered with Leeds bombing forward at will and Wednesday

conceding cheap free-kicks. But in terms of genuine scoring opportunities the hosts seldom threatened Devis

Vasquez’s goal.

 

 

The Colombian recorded his first clean sheet thanks to two pieces of alert goalkeeping, either side of half-time to

keep out Rutter and Summerville. Whilst he should be applauded, you also have to give big credit to the defense in

front of him. Having shipped late goals in two of their previous four defeats concentration right until the end was

needed here – and they delivered.

 

 

When asked post-match what he thought of his players’ attitude, Munoz said: “Brilliant. This is what you need. We

were playing with passion, power and energy. We want clean sheets and consistency. This cannot change in one day.

We need to continue and this is only one point.”

Bannan difference clear

Skipper Barry Bannan has looked back to his best the last few games, and it’s no coincidence that has come as he has

dropped back deeper into a role similar to the one he played last season.

The switch-up in formation has seen the Scot drop back slightly and against Leeds he recorded the most touches of

any visiting player and also popped off the highest number of passes. From this deeper base Bannan is also able to

scan the pitch much better and dig deep into his repertoire of killer passes.

 

 

Speaking to the media post-match he smiled when asked about the move further back: “I’ve enjoyed the last few games a lot more than the ones before!”

The experiment of playing him higher up in the number ten role is surely a thing of the past now.

 

 

There was one dicey moment towards the latter stages here when Leeds were building plenty of momentum. One of

the many dangermen, Wilfried Gnonto, charged into the box as he ran at Owls’ substitute Dominic Iorfa.

A coming together was followed by both men falling to the ground; Iorfa first, then the Leeds man before the ball

trickled out of play.

 

 

It led to boisterous calls from the home fans for a penalty and drew frightful gasps from the onlooking

Wednesdayites. Thankfully for those of a blue-and-white persuasion referee Dean Whitestone was unperturbed and

a goal kick was given. It is a good job the Championship does not have VAR as replays appear to show Iorfa got

nothing of the ball. For Wednesday, it was a much-welcomed slice of luck that helped preserve a precious point.