Michael Skubala hailed the relentless attacking of his Leeds United U21s side after their 5-3 win over Tranmere Rovers in the Papa John’s Trophy. Joe Gelhardt, who was overlooked for a spot in Jesse Marsch’s senior squad over the weekend, scored two on the night, while Sonny Perkins, Mateo Joseph and Cody Drameh all found the back of the Prenton Park net, too.
The Whites actually fell behind in the game as goals from Paul Lewis and Rhys Hughes gave the League Two outfit a commanding first half lead. However, Perkins pulled one back for the Whites before a sublime Gelhardt double silenced the 816-strong crowd.
Tranmere equalised just before half-time, but efforts from Joseph and Drameh, who picked up a knock late in the game, sealed the result and saw Skubala’s Leeds continue their unbeaten start to the campaign. The result also sees Leeds move into second in their Papa John’s Trophy group.
Read more: Leeds United U21s player ratings as Gelhardt, Perkins and Joseph shine in Tranmere thriller
Skubala was understandably delighted to see his side hit five against Micky Mellon’s outfit and he was beaming after the game.
“I loved it,” he told the press. “I just wanted the team to attack and be lively and I know sometimes that’s going to cost us at times but I think they learn from these games and it’s a great game to learn from. Tranmere are a good team, their style of play is what I call three o’clock football and they’re good in transition.
“I thought we started really brightly, we’ve done that well this season and I thought we did the same again and then we got caught and caught again. In the end we had to grind back into it and from that point we were comfortable.
“I thought it was good performances all round (from the front four), Joffy had a really nice performance, he’s come and give 90, I thought Willy (Gnonto) was really good on the ball and in the end I took him off just to calm it and manage the situation, we don’t want him getting hurt.
“Mateo is in a place where he’s running hard, pressing and he gives everything for the team and he was captain tonight because of those attributes that I really value. Sonny got his goal again, I’ve lost count now.”
He added: “(These games are) brilliant for their development, brilliant for their learning and brilliant for the physicality to feel a bit different and the blend of games between the Papa Johns and the Premier League 2 is perfect.”
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