In the mix: Tom Lees tips Yorkshire rivals Owls, Town and Leeds to last Championship play-off pace

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY defender Tom Lees believes the presence of three Yorkshire clubs in the play-off places is bringing 'added spice' to the promotion tussle.
Tom Lees, centre, congratulates Ross Wallace on his goal which opened the scoring against Huddersfield Town on Saturday. Picture: Steve Ellis.Tom Lees, centre, congratulates Ross Wallace on his goal which opened the scoring against Huddersfield Town on Saturday. Picture: Steve Ellis.
Tom Lees, centre, congratulates Ross Wallace on his goal which opened the scoring against Huddersfield Town on Saturday. Picture: Steve Ellis.

The Owls claimed a 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town to move to within a point of David Wagner’s men in the table. Leeds United, the club where Lees started his career, lead the way in third and with the gap between sixth-placed Wednesday and the chasing pack now five points there is a growing belief that the trio of White Rose teams can last the pace.

“Having three Yorkshire sides in there does bring an extra edge,” said Lees. “It is bragging rights for the fans and three Yorkshire teams up there is great for the area. It brings added spice.”

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Goals from Ross Wallace and Fernando Forestieri earned the Owls victory over Huddersfield. Asked about the prospects of the two sides who met at Hillsborough, Lees replied: “Both teams can qualify for the play-offs.

TOM LEES:  Helped Sheffield Wednesday cut the gap on Huddersfield to one point.TOM LEES:  Helped Sheffield Wednesday cut the gap on Huddersfield to one point.
TOM LEES: Helped Sheffield Wednesday cut the gap on Huddersfield to one point.

“I have been really impressed with Huddersfield this season. I am sure they will be up and around the play-offs. They have a good way of playing and a good work ethic.

“They showed that in the first half, Huddersfield made us look pretty average. I would expect them to be up there and we have to do the same.”

Town head coach David Wagner felt his side had been on the end of some questionable refereeing decisions in the derby but Lees felt the final score was fair.

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“It is fair to say Huddersfield dominated in the first half,” said the Owls defender. “We were under the cosh and had to do a lot of defending. Carlos (Carvalhal, Owls chief) didn’t (have a go in the dressing room), it was more among ourselves. We wanted to get closer to Huddersfield and up the tempo. That is basically what was said in the dressing room.

TOM LEES:  Helped Sheffield Wednesday cut the gap on Huddersfield to one point.TOM LEES:  Helped Sheffield Wednesday cut the gap on Huddersfield to one point.
TOM LEES: Helped Sheffield Wednesday cut the gap on Huddersfield to one point.

“I felt the second half was the other way round. We scored at a really good time and I felt we were on top. The sending-off helped but I felt we were in control and got a clean sheet against a team that was fourth going into the weekend.

“These were two quality teams and that is why there maybe wasn’t too much to the game because it was so tight. We limited them well and I can’t remember too many clear-cut chances for them. I think Huddersfield ran out of ideas a bit towards the end.”

Match report 
and reaction: Page 3