Leeds United 3 Plymouth Argyle 0 – it’s a long way home. This was Leeds in second gear. After twenty minutes of nothing they then hammered Plymouth with three goals in eight minutes, and then sat back to protect their clean sheet. Plymouth do not deserve to be in the Championship. They spent the first half camped in their own half and never once troubled Meslier –what was Rooney’s tactics? Farke’s plan was clear – Rothwell was again positive driving the ball through midfield, lots of shots from the players from further outside the penalty box and move the ball quickly. Job done.
Having to go through My Leeds membership to get a ticket means it is lucky dip as to where we sit and, against Plymouth Argyle, we ended up in bottom corner where the Away supporters sit. It is a lengthy cross country trip for them to see their team well beaten at Elland Road and that was evident in how they failed to sell their seat allocation. So we were in between the South Stand and the away supporters above us. It all made for an entertaining afternoon with the banter between the two.
The South Stand constantly reminded Plymouth fans of their manager’s – Rooney – Manchester United roots – of more interest to them than Plymouth Argyle itself. After Plymouth went 3-0 down the tone of the banter from Plymouth fans turned to how Leeds were nothing special because Plymouth lose every week, and Leeds had only put three past past them. With nearly 80% possession, the Plymouth fans’ attention at the end of the match turned to the occasional oles when they actually did have the ball.
It was that kind of match. Plymouth did not have one shot towards goal, on or off target. The bus had been parked but James and Firpo managed to get crosses in that caused chaos in the box. Plymouth not only did not press but failed to hold the ball.. By the second half came a lonely shout from a Plymouth fan – “out” – for the players to at least try to find a way out of their own half.
All three goals for Leeds, James, Piroe and then Andersson, came over a period of eight minutes with Leeds setting up to play fast from free kicks and throw-ins to hassle Plymouth and it worked, as Plymouth failed to clear the ball again and again.
When have Leeds scored more than three goals with Farke? After dominating the first half Leeds lost their focus in the second half. Plymouth came out more positive and Leeds seemed content at first to soak it up. Rodon, Tanaka and Struijk were solid in defence – as if that is what is most important for Farke – the clean sheets.
And then we saw the future of Leeds. With the game dead and buried Farke brought on his children – Chambers, Crew and Joseph. These are the future of Leeds with a long shot from Crew demanding a stretching save from Grimshaw to save Argyle’s blushes. We were also introduced for the first time to the new emergency signing, the dominating presence of Guilavogui who looked solid in defence.
It was a mildly disappointing second half as Leeds failed to build on their their three goals – Joseph and Gnonto both missed their chances, as Leeds had 23 show towards goal. But Leeds were now second in the Championship. With an XG of zero it was a painful watch for Argyle fans – and a long way home.
Player of the Match: Ao Tanaka earning his new Tequila (Tanaka) chant
