Leeds United midfielder Glen Kamara has emphasised the need to “keep on building” on his recent performances for the Whites, as well as the importance of yesterday’s FA Cup victory over fellow Championship side Plymouth Argyle for maintaining positive momentum within the group.
Leeds were forced to dig deep in Tuesday night’s clash with the Pilgrims, as a Wilfried Gnonto opener found itself cancelled out by a chested effort by Argyle’s Brendan Galloway later in the second half, forcing the tie into extra time.
Whites manager Daniel Farke’s reinforcements from the substitute bench then combined to great effect, as efforts from Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and a Ryan Hardie own goal saw Leeds leave Home Park as deserved 4-1 winners.
Victory in yesterday evening’s fourth round replay sees the West Yorkshire side enter the competition’s fifth round, where an away clash with Premier League opposition in either Aston Villa or Chelsea awaits. It also saw Leeds extend their unbeaten run to a total of eight games, with seven of these matches seeing the Whites emerge victorious.
Glen Kamara stresses the importance of maintaining momentum as Rotherham await
The sole focus for Leeds will now turn towards the league with bottom of the table Rotherham United making the short trip to Elland Road this weekend.
Nothing short of a win will do for the Whites as they seek to continue their push for the automatic promotion spots, yet they will be conscious of the fact that the Millers held them to a disappointing draw away from home earlier in the season.
For Leeds midfielder Kamara, yesterday’s result against Plymouth can only be seen as an overall positive when it comes to keeping the winning feeling intact amongst the squad.
“Coming away from home is always tough but we’re happy with the win and we look forward to the next round,” Kamara told LUTV following the match.
“We’re on a run of a lot of wins right now and hopefully we can just keep that up and keep performing well. Hopefully we can keep that form and take it into the league as well.
“Hopefully I can keep on building with my own performances.”
Positive feeling within Leeds group – but Rotherham cannot be underestimated
Kamara is right, yesterday’s win against Plymouth – despite being gruelling in many ways – was an important one when it comes to maintaining the sense of positivity that comes with being unbeaten in all competitions since the turn of the year.
Were Leeds to taste defeat in the fifth round against either Villa or Chelsea there would be no shame in that. After all, these are Premier League sides with Premier League squads at their disposal, and the Whites would come into the contest with either as clear underdogs.
As Kamara states attention must now turn back to the race for the automatic promotion spots, with a win against struggling Yorkshire rivals Rotherham vital.
It would be a mistake to underestimate the Millers, however. Anything can happen in derby matches and, most likely, Leam Richardson will set his team up to sit deep and frustrate a lethal Leeds attack.
With the backing of the Elland Road faithful as well as a sensible manager in Farke who will not allow his players to become complacent, Leeds will be hopeful of extending their unbeaten run to a total of nine games on Saturday afternoon.
