Crysencio Summerville sparkles, Joel Piroe anonymous – Leeds United player ratings vs Sheffield Wednesday
It was a frustrating afternoon at Elland Road as Leeds United were unable to break down Sheffield Wednesday in a goalless draw.
The Whites were comfortably on top in the opening 45 without making it count as the visitors offered very little, but the action was must more even after the break.
Illan Meslier was called into action more but Willy Gnonto had a penalty shout turned down and Georginio Rutter wasted the best Whites chance.
Here, MOT Leeds News rates the Leeds United players out of 10 for their performance against the Owls.
Illan Meslier – 7
Had next to nothing to do until he made a sharp low save early in the second half and then followed it up with a better one to smother a dangerous chance for Josh Windass.
Luke Ayling (off for Spence ’81) – 6
Okay. Dealt with the little defensive work he had to do and was his usual threat going forward. Handed a great opportunity from a deep cross from Gnonto but got the header all wrong.
Joe Rodon – 6
Largely looked quite tidy apart from one scruffy sequence that almost let the visitors in just before the break but generally didn’t have a great deal to do.
Pascal Struijk – 5
Sloppy in possession at times. Wasn’t put under a great deal of pressure throughout the game. Still feels suspect when teams come forward.
Jamie Shackleton – 7
Busy play filling in at left-back in a handy game for a converted midfielder where he was free to look forward rather than backwards for the most part. Cut in to bend a lovely shot narrowly over the bar after the break. Combined well with Gnonto in front of him and got forward with increasing regularity.
Archie Gray (off for Kamara ’88) – 6
Largely decent again. Sharp in midfield to pressure any loose passes from the visitors as he continued to generally look comfortable through the start of his Leeds United career. Pounced to set Piroe in early. Escaped thanks to Meslier’s save when caught in possession after the break to allow Wednesday their most dangerous chance.
Ethan Ampadu – 7
At the heart of Leeds United play early with some raking balls forward for Gnonto and company and generally produced a solid display.
Willy Gnonto – 7
Took a while to get going but turned it on later to remind everyone why Leeds United fought so hard to keep him. Made a few sharp breaks but took a couple of knocks and didn’t look fully fit at times. Sprung to life in the second half and looked very dangerous down the left. Swung in an excellent cross that Ayling couldn’t convert inside the hour. Could have had a penalty.
Georginio Rutter – 7
Decent but frustrating. Combined well with Summerville repeatedly and went close himself a couple of times. Great first-half opportunity when played in by the winger that was only kept out by a strong save. Wasted an even better one late on with a weak attempt. Visibly frustrated as a result and soon got needlessly booked for booting the ball away.
Crysencio Summerville – 8 – Man of the Match
Best player on the pitch for most of the game until Gnonto started to threaten that title later in the game. Nice understanding with Rutter. Very threatening throughout the first half where Wednesday couldn’t live with him. Lovely combination play with Rutter to fashion a dangerous chance and looked dynamic on the ball throughout, but couldn’t find the breakthrough.
Joel Piroe – 3
Very disappointing. Anonymous encore to his goalscoring debut. Struggled to get involved with a packed Wednesday defence crowding the space at the back but had virtually zero impact compared to attacking teammates. Free kick well wide late on summed up his day.
Substitutions
Djed Spence (on for Ayling ’81) – 7
Showed remarkable pace to get back and make a double-block within seconds of coming on.
Glen Kamara (on for Gray ’88) – N/A
In other Leeds United news, Luis Sinisterra’s agent has spoken out over the “fight” to secure a deadline day move away.