Plymouth Argyle manager Ian Foster has shared his thoughts on Leeds United ahead of the FA Cup tie between the two sides tomorrow.
Leeds have already beaten Plymouth at Elland Road this season, though Saturday will represent a completely new challenge with a different manager in the dugout, after Foster came into replace Steven Schumacher.
It would not be a surprise to see both sides make changes for the match with Plymouth set to be without Leeds loanee Darko Gyabi as he is ineligible. Former Leeds midfielder Adam Forshaw started alongside him last week after joining from Norwich City last week, but is cup-tied.
Leeds are still yet to lose in any competition on home soil this season and extended their unbeaten run at Elland Road to 16 matches with a 1-0 win over Norwich on Wednesday night.
Foster was speaking to pafc.co.uk yesterday ahead of the match this weekend and believes his side have been handed the ‘toughest’ draw possible, outside of a Premier League club.
Foster full of praise for Leeds ahead of FA Cup
He said: “It is probably the toughest place we could’ve gone outside of the Premier League. They are obviously flying at the moment. Elland Road is a fortress, they are unbeaten there this season so the number one in our division in terms of their home record.
“But is a great challenge and an opportunity for some players to come in and play from the start who haven’t so far. But it’s one of the best arenas to go and play football in England, really historic and one of the few that aren’t just a bowl now.
“It’s got character, so much history and we can go up there and have a go. That is our intention. We want to go and challenge Leeds, get into the fifth round of the FA Cup but are acutely aware of how difficult a mission that is.”
It is nice to hear Foster speak about Leeds in such a positive way and with the pressure of the league off both sets of players, it would not be a surprise if Plymouth came to attack tomorrow.
Daniel Farke would be wise to make some changes to his starting XI, though, with his squad looking a little stretched at the moment. Willy Gnonto (if fit), Jaidon Anthony, Jamie Shackleton, Liam Cooper, Joel Piroe and Sam Byram are among those who could come in.
Hopefully Leeds can continue the terrific momentum they have been building at home so far this season and progress through to the fifth round.
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