Leeds United 0-0 Rotherham United – Leeds’ dreadful season ends in draw

Leeds United were unable to seal back-to-back victories as they were held to a goalless draw by Rotherham.

Neil Redfearn named an unchanged side from last week’s 2-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, with Steve Morison starting as a lone striker after scoring two goals in his last two games.

Rotherham manager Steve Evans arrived at Elland Road in a sombrero and beach wear following a twitter campaign for him to do so, Evans said that if the Millers stayed up he would appear in summer wear, something Rotherham achieved with a 2-1 victory over Reading on Tuesday night. Despite Rotherham’s manager looking very attractive off the pitch, on the pitch his side couldn’t match that, managing 1 shot on target in 90 minutes.

Whilst Evans was wearing his beach gear, Leeds fans were wearing purple, in protest of current owner Massimo Cellino’s reign at the club. The game started a scrappy affair, Rotherham’s pressure resulted in successive corners but they were unable to convert. Leeds provided little chances to go ahead, on a wet surface where most players were unable to keep their balance at times, that was until Steve Morison had the ball in the back of the Rotherham net, the offside flag denying him a 3rd goal in 3 weeks.

The centre back partnership of Sol Bamba and Liam Cooper were active in keeping the Rotherham attack out, both making a number of well timed tackles to prevent good goalscoring opportunities, Leeds right back Scott Wootton almost gifted Rotherham golden chances with 2 poor pass backs in the first half, but Leeds goalkeeper Stuart Taylor, making his 3rd successive start in Marco Silvestri’s absence, was alert to clear the danger. The half time whistle meant the sides went into the break at 0-0, with Rotherham looking the more likely to score.

Both teams came out for the second half unchanged. Leeds started the better out of the two teams, much like they were in the previous game, Liam Cooper seeing a shot blocked in the box and Steve Morison heading over after pressure from Rotherham midfielder Ben Pringle. Alex Mowatt and Steve Morison combined brilliantly shortly after, but Mowatt’s effort was deflected wide as the young midfielder attempted to find the bottom corner.

Both benches were active during the half, Rotherham introducing Jordan Bowery in place of Danny Ward and Leeds bringing on Billy Sharp for Gaetano Berardi, the Leeds sub signalled a change in formation as Neil Redfearn looked for a final day victory. Sharp, Morison and Austin all had chances to score in one attack, but all three refused to take the shot before Billy Sharp was dispossessed at the top of the 6 yard box.

Aidy White was introduced by Redfearn, his first appearance of the season following a long-term injury. White looked lively, running at Rotherham’s defence and willing to take players on. Rotherham midfielder Paul Green and Leeds striker Brian Montenegro were introduced to the game but provided little to show that the scoreline would change. Luke Murphy’s corner was met by the head of Sol Bamba, but his effort was saved on the line by Rotherham goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The last real chance of the game came from Jonson Clarke-Harris after he was brought down by Bamba at the top of the box, the Ivorian very lucky to avoid a second yellow card in his last loan appearance for the Whites. Clarke-Harris took the free kick but his powerful effort was well wide and flew into the Elland Road south stand.

The full time whistle meant the crowd of 31,850 saw both sides finish their season in a stalemate. It’s been a season of controversy at Leeds United, and whilst a 15th place finish would appear a failure at the start of the season, the way the season has gone it could be seen as an achievement, massively due to the work and effort of Neil Redfearn.

In what could be his last game in charge of Leeds, with his future undecided, Redfearn said that “The important part now becomes the recruitment part and if I’m going to be here I’d like to be part of that. It’s important because if you recruit well and get the right players, you can supplement what we’ve done and this close season we need to recruit better.”

Rotherham manager Steve Evans “You can’t ask any more of them when they know they’re safe just to have the same application they have had all season. I have often said I am immensely proud of them and I am now.”

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