Sheffield Wednesday star Josh Windass has reacted to one Leeds United player’s performance on Thursday night, describing him as “incredible” as The Whites cruised past Norwich City.
After four defeats in the last six ahead of the Championship play-offs, one clean sheet in eight and two straight losses, Leeds fans would have been forgiven for feeling anxious going into the mini-tournament.
But Daniel Farke’s side garnered some momentum on Sunday afternoon with a 0-0 draw at Carrow Road. A clean sheet, and a side that looked much more solid, sticking to the game plan to avoid defeat away.
Even then, a cagey affair was expected at Elland Road on Thursday night in the second leg. Leeds were favourites, but not many would have predicted a massive 4-0 win to book a place at Wembley on May 26.
Ilia Gruev scored his first goal for Leeds from a free-kick, before Joel Piroe headed home a superb Willy Gnonto cross. Georginio Rutter ended a bad run to make it three and Cree Summerville scored his 21st.
But it was Archie Gray that caught the eye of Windass, who himself has massive play-off pedigree after he following his father’s footsteps to score the winner for Wednesday in last season’s League One play-offs.
Here is what Windass said about Gray, on X:
Windass blown away by Leeds United star Archie Gray last night
Gray was absolutely exceptional on Thursday night. That is despite being asked to revert to right-back to replace the injured Sam Byram, after being used in the no.10 role at Carrow Road a few days beforehand.
On a number of occasions, the England U21 man went on a mazy run going past Norwich players as if they were statues. One moment saw Gray turn on the edge of his own box and reach the Norwich’s area.
Windass had predicted that Leeds would win the Championship play-offs and the Wednesday attacker took to X on Thursday night to describe 18-year-old ace Gray as incredible: “Archie Gray, 18. Incredible.”
Gray might not even have started against Norwich, last night
Speaking after the game, Daniel Farke was commenting on his starting line-up and the Leeds boss confirmed that Sam Byram had suffered an injury. He says he was forced into taking Byram out of the XI.
Indeed, the German gaffer says he probably would have started Byram after he impressed against his old side Norwich on Sunday. Joel Piroe came in for Byram, but it might have been Gray that was replaced.
There is no doubt now though, after Thursday night’s performance, that Gray has got to start at Wembley next Sunday when Leeds take on either Southampton or West Brom in the play-off final.