Leeds United: BBC man blown away by what he saw Sam Byram do v Plymouth
Jonathan Pearce was left blown away by Sam Byram’s “exceptional” first-half defending for Leeds United in their FA Cup fourth-round replay win against Plymouth on Tuesday (6 February).
The two sides met again, this time at Home Park after The Pilgrims forced a replay with a 1-1 draw at Elland Road (27 January) after a second-half equaliser from Adam Randell.
Both teams had chances to take the lead in the first half of their clash with the away side hitting the crossbar on two occasions through Matoe Joseph and Piroe.
Plymouth had clear-cut opportunities of their own and Leeds United had Sam Byram to thank after some excellent last-ditch defending preventing Callum Wright from turning in a Ryan Hardie cross at the back post.
Byram left Pearce wowed on BBC Sports’ live coverage of the fixture (6 February, 8:09 pm). He said: “Exceptional defending from Byram there. Great play down the right from Plymouth but well done Byram.”
Daniel Farke’s Swiss Army knife has a point to prove
Leeds United will have been delighted that they acquired the services of Connor Roberts from Burnley on transfer deadline day.
There was quite clearly a need at Elland Road for a new right-back to come in after what has happened this month, and Roberts could be a brilliant bit of business.
The 28-year-old is an experienced and incredibly capable individual and it seems he won’t mind a step-down to the Championship to get some game time again and Leeds United must jump at the chance right now.
And while fans will have been delighted with the signing, Byram will have been thinking at the back of his mind that his starting place is under threat.
The former Norwich City man has been tremendous for the Whites when called upon by Farke, becoming the German’s swiss army knife, featuring at right-back and left-back but Roberts’ signing is sure to leave him a bit insecure.
However, with defending like he did for Leeds United in the first half, Roberts will be the one feeling insecure. It was a superb last-ditch tackle from Byram who has made defending an art form during his time in West Yorkshire.
Whoever Farke chooses to deploy in the role, Leeds can be confident in the fact that they have too tremendous options available to them.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay shared whether Farke was about to cancel another loan deal early.
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