Leeds United (A) | Schumacher's Reaction

After Argyle’s 2-1 defeat at Leeds United, manager Steven Schumacher took heart from the fighting spirit shown by his side at Elland Road.

Leeds went in 2-0 up at half-time, with goals from Dan James and Joel Piroe on 21 and 28 minutes respectively. Until United’s opener, Argyle had kept their lofty opponents at bay, albeit with most of the possession being with the home side. Perhaps most frustratingly for Schumacher, the two goals came directly from Argyle mistakes presenting Leeds with opportunities.

After the break, although Leeds continued to be on top, Argyle rallied, showed spirit, and after substitute Ben Waine scored with six minutes of the 90 still remaining, gave it their all to find an equaliser in the closing stages.

It never came, but the spirited conclusion has given Schumacher succour.

“I’m disappointed with the result, but proud of the overall effort,” he said.

“I thought we stuck at it. We obviously had moments in the game where it was really difficult. Leeds are a top team, have got some unbelievable players and had spells in the game where it was tough for us.

“I'm so proud of how [the players] stuck together, how they kept believing in each other and what we asked them to do. The two goals came early on in the game; gutted about that because it is individual errors again. It's not as though we were cut open for the two goals.

“We've had possession of the ball and lost it right in front of our goal. If you do that against good players, then they punish you.”

Argyle began the game in a 3-4-3 formation, with Morgan Whittaker, Finn Azaz and Luke Cundle occupying the front three spaces. During the second half, among a host of substitutions, the Greens moved to a 4-3-3 to try to force their way back into the game.

Before that, though, Schumacher believes that a potential penalty shout, when Bali Mumba was brought down in the area towards the end of the first half, might have gone the Pilgrims’ way, but was not given.

“Right before half time, another decision goes against us; it's a clear penalty,” said Schumacher. “There's contact. I could hear the contact from where I was standing. The lad made no contact with the ball - and we don't get a decision that we should get.

“Does that decision completely change the outcome of the game? Maybe not, but it gives us a chance. We could go in at 2-1 at half-time with a bit of belief.

“We changed our shape [before the game] to try to contain some of the forward players that were in areas where they could have caused us an issue. I felt we did that for 20 minutes. They had a lot of the possession, which we expected, but we were decent on the counter-attack. In the first 20 minutes, we might have only had the only shot on target with Finn Azaz's chance.

“We had a couple of other little counters where we could have done okay from. Then to concede the goals the way we did, that's the most frustrating thing. We were in control of that situation and we need to do better in the moments. And then you're up against it.

“We know that's what our players do: they keep going. We said that we'll get a chance in the game and if you get one, then you just never know. Michael [Cooper] made a good save as well to keep it at 2-0, and we knew we were going to have to take our chances.

“We changed our shape back to what we've been doing, and I thought we were better. We looked a little bit more positive, because we had to go for the game. There was no choice about that, so we went for it.”

One of Argyle’s substitutes, Ben Waine, got the goal to bring Argyle a little closer to obtaining a point. He found himself on the bench at the start of the game, having started against Middlesbrough the week prior, but still made an impact in the game, which pleased Schumacher, who said: “I pulled Ben this week and told him what I was thinking about the idea for the shape. I said: ‘look, it wasn't because of how you played.’

“Last week, I thought he did okay against Middlesbrough, it was just a tactical decision. I said: ‘you will play a part in the game.’ We knew at some point we'd have to change it and go with a striker and that's what he did. I think all the subs did really well when they came on today.”

Nearly 3,000 Argyle fans sold out the away end at Elland Road, and as usual gave the team their backing. Schumacher said he was pleased that the travelling Green Army at least had something to cheer as the game drew to a close.

He said: “I’m made up that we got a goal to give them something to celebrate. You could see that they believed we were going to come and get something.

“Leeds weren't necessarily hanging on, but they were looking for the final whistle, that's for sure. The players give everything, and that's all we can keep asking of them.

“We got back into the game and then there's a few other little chances where it just didn't quite fall for us.

“They're a brilliant group and they've had a real good stint at the last five games. We played really top teams; to pick five points up from those five games isn't the end of the world.

“We know where we're at, but the fans know that our players have got that in them where they'll keep going. They'll keep fighting for the shirt, and as long as that continues, then we'll be fine.”