Leeds United (H) Foster's Preview

Ten days on from Argyle’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round, the teams are set to line up again, this time at Home Park, in the replay.

The Greens went behind to a Jaidon Anthony goal in a first half that Leeds controlled, but after the break Argyle brought themselves back into the game, and levelled via an Adam Randell goal.

Since that game, Argyle have played once, winning 1-0 at Swansea City, the Pilgrims’ first victory on the road this season.

Argyle Head Coach Ian Foster has taken heart from the second-half performance at Leeds, as well as the side’s recent form, and is looking forward to meeting Daniel Farke’s side once again, on Tuesday night.

“It'll be a wonderful challenge for us again. The first game was really interesting, really intriguing,” he said.

“We had moments in the game where we struggled, because we we're playing against top opposition, but there were moments in the game where we really excelled. I think we took an awful lot of confidence from the visit to Leeds. It's helped us in performances since that game.

“Hopefully we get a better start to the game. I was disappointed with our first-half performance, but you have to credit the opposition as well. In terms of the shape, structure and philosophy of both teams, I don't see that changing.

“Up there, the players were tactically outstanding. In moments of the second half, I thought we could have gone on and won it.

“The boys are full of confidence, which is great. You just hope you can transfer it from competition to competition.

“We’re five games into an unbeaten streak, which is wonderful, long may that continue. We know that it's going to be a very difficult ask for us because of the quality of the opposition. We'll embrace that challenge. We'll give it a good go, and hopefully that will be enough for us.”

As in the first tie, Adam Forshaw and Alfie Devine are unavailable as they are cup-tied, while Darko Gyabi, on loan at Argyle from Leeds, cannot play against his parent club. Deadline-day signing Lino Sousa is also unavailable, as he was not eligible at the time of the original game.

Foster, therefore, will need to shuffle his pack, but with a busy period coming up, that would have been on the cards in any case.

“There'll be natural changes to the team, through eligibility issues, but we’d have looked to change anyway,” said Foster. “Seven games in 22 days is a lot for 11 players to go through. That would have been an impossible challenge.

“The players who will come into the team for the game against Leeds will be ready. They've been chomping at the bit. They've been training particularly well, and hopefully they can just give a really good, strong account of themselves, like they did up there.”

Tuesday’s game will take place in front of television cameras, as the game is to be screened live on BBC One. Commentary teams from TalkSport and BBC Radio 5 Live will also be on hand, as national and international audiences tune in to the game.  

“You have to earn the right in this competition to play in front of the live cameras and against the big opposition,” said Foster.

“That's what they've done, and hopefully they enjoy it. We've earned the right to bring Leeds back here. I want the players to go out, express themselves and enjoy the game.”