Leeds United - v - Plymouth Argyle ***Matchday Thread***

[BelfastAndy]

Leeds Utd v Plymouth Argyle
2nd November@15:00 | Elland Road

Leeds return to action on Saturday afternoon, aiming to climb into the top two automatic places, but face a Wayne Rooney side who would like nothing more than to upset the form guide

Despite being held to a goalless draw just time out at Bristol City, the Whites are unbeaten in seven games, and are second in the form guide, only to leaders Sunderland. The Pilgrims have been awful on the road this season, picking up just one point from a possible 18 away from home, conceding 13, and scoring just once.

Largie Ramazani (ankle ligament), Ethan Ampadu (knee) and Ilea Gruev (recovering from meniscus surgery) are all ruled out medium to long term for Leeds whilst Max Wober returned to training on Tuesday, and should be back after the International Break.

Jaidon Bogle will sit the game out after picking up his fifth booking of the season at Ashton Gate last weekend, with versatile utility player Sam Byram likely to fill in. The 31yo will switch flanks, as Daniel Farke welcomes back Junior Firpo to his line-up.

There are question marks over the fitness of Joffy Gelhardt( hip), Dan James (hamstring) and Patrick Bamford (adductor), leaving Daniel Farke short on attacking wide options. Manor Solomon looks set for more minutes, albeit from the bench after a tentative return from injury. Despite this, Farke has the luxury of choosing between Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph to lead the line.

The visitors will be without inspirational skipper Joe Edwards for the rest of the year after picking up a hamstring injury during their 3-3 draw last time out. Fellow defender Lewis Gibson (thigh) and Winger Ibrahim Cissoko (suspended also miss out. Darko Gyabi is not eligible to play against his parent club.

Hopefully the slick Leeds turn up. 4 - 0.

MOT.

(Credit MOTForum.com)

[MrsORichSenior_]

With both center backs Gibson and Galloway their experienced Zimbabwe international sidelined for the trip...... so maybe something to fully exploit after the luxury of a rare full weeks of training as a unit...... as looks like the rookie pairing of Palsson and Szucs will play in central defence, their local new predicts.
Good opportunity to put some goals away....

Their three victories so far have all come at Home Park....... with the Pilgrims having only managed a point in their first six games on the road............ leaving them with the Championship's worst away record having conceded 13 goals and only scored once....... hopefully Adam Forshaw will be off the pace for them as well..... if hes fit and plays.

MOT

[spaldy]

Poor coach as well. On paper we should blow this team away but we seem to struggle on these type of games.

[MrsORichSenior_]

Poor coach as well. On paper we should blow this team away but we seem to struggle on these type of games.

Tempo is key into breaking such teams adopting parking the bus......

If they park the bus giving us lots of time by sitting deep then a lower tempo will give us a chance to hold onto the ball...... and make better decisions with our movements and passing.

We do have decent players who can dictate tempo.... .... but no great players who have the ball often who have that ability to decide when to play a calm, low tempo passing game and when to go for the one touch pass into space but in Tanaka we are beginning to see one.

Think Farke will play it cool, but maybe with Firpo back then we could see an upped tempo down the wings from the off....... if the ER pitch has the sprinklers on right up to kick off then the zip on the surface will indicate hes going for a faster tempo set up.😉

MOT

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Rooney normally tries to play attacking football though

[MrsORichSenior_]

Rooney normally tries to play attacking football though

True H....... but they have three big games in quick succession, us, then Pompey at home [the South coast Dockyard Derby] then Derby away where he was Coach....... so you would think he would keep it tight against us ?

MOT

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

So long as we give him Big Macs, Fries and Coke before the game he may be tempted 🤣

[Ozwhites]

Bamford has an adductor issue now. 🙄

[Billyni]

Bamford has an adductor issue now. 🙄

He's been abducted for quite a few seasons now.

[norfolk white]

Unfortunately he’s had issues for two years now, if not longer, I think when we bought him he was already injured