Daniel Farke gave Archie Gray a slightly unusual role on Sunday afternoon as Leeds United drew 0-0 with Norwich City at Carrow Road, and Jon Newsome has provided his judgement.

Gray, 18, made his 50th appearance for Farke’s team on Sunday, as Leeds faced the German manager’s former club Norwich in the play-off semi-finals first leg in East Anglia, which finished 0-0.

The teenage midfielder has been outstanding this season, winning the Championship’s teenage Player of the Season award after making his debut on the first day of the season in a 2-2 draw against Cardiff.

Gray was reintroduced into the starting lineup by Farke after being dropped for the 2-1 loss to Southampton, and he was assigned a slightly different position than the ones he had previously played in during 2023-24.

Gray has played right-back and holding midfield, but on Sunday he lined up in the 10 position behind Georginio Rutter, where he was deployed more defensively than Rutter or Joel Piroe.

During his full-time duty as a co-commentator on BBC Radio Leeds, Newsome delivered his assessment on Gray’s performance and body language. Here’s what a former Leeds player said about Gray:

Jon Newsome’s thoughts on Leeds star Archie Gray’s performance

While it is a decent result, Leeds will believe they could have won on another day. What is crucial is that Farke’s team appeared much more sturdy than it has in recent weeks.

Leeds’ four losses in six games before Sunday’s game left them fully vulnerable in midfield, and Gray’s “tireless” performance in front of Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara paid off, with Newsome impressed.

“He’s 18, and you want to instill as much knowledge in him as possible because, once again, he delivered an outstanding performance. He was in and out of the game, but he was always running,” Newsome recalled.

“He has worked extensively on the side. You can tell by his body language now that he is not happy, that something has been said, that he is a little disjointed, a little dissatisfied about things, which is typical of an 18-year-old boy.”

What Daniel Farke done with Archie Gray on full-time basis

Gray will have gained experience from Sunday’s game, which was cagey and full of pressure, as well as knowledge of playing in a different role at senior level for Leeds.

According to BBC Radio Leeds presenter Jonathan Buchan, Gray was the man to receive some “words of wisdom” from Farke on the pitch soon after Josh Smith blew for full-time, which ended the game 0-0.

“He has worked extensively on the side. You can tell by his body language now that he is not happy, that something has been said, that he is a little disjointed, a little dissatisfied about things, which is typical of an 18-year-old boy.”

“Immediately afterwards, Farke will impart some wisdom, this time to Archie Gray. They’re pointing to a part of the pitch where he clearly wanted Archie to do something he didn’t accomplish,” he explained.

Leeds United kept a clean sheet and drew at Carrow Road on Sunday afternoon, but they may have been awarded a penalty.

Farke made a handful of key moves for his team before of the match, including dropping Joel Piroe. Instead of bringing in Mateo Joseph, he pushed Georginio Rutter up forward and Archie Grey into the 10 spot.

A move that may have been inspired by Southampton’s ease in opening up Leeds’ midfield last week. Gray’s presence as a 10 allowed him to play more of a box-to-box role, adding additional body in the middle.

It was a sluggish encounter as both teams played to a nervy 0-0 draw, with all eyes on next week’s second leg at Elland Road. But Leeds could have easily secured a penalty for a challenge on Willy Gnonto.

After barely six minutes, Gnonto cut inside from the right flank and passed Norwich winger Borja Sainz. The Norwich player then made contact outside the penalty area before tackling him in the box.