They didn’t have long to wait for Marcelo Bielsa’s first Leeds United side to score the opening goals of his time in English football.
It was a wait of a mere 16 minutes before Whites striker Kemar Roofe netted in the friendly fixture against Forest Green Rovers. Leading scorer last season for Leeds United with 11 goals, Roofe smashed the ball in from a Pablo Hernandez corner.
Kemar Roofe scores (@brucerollinson) pic.twitter.com/9JfLc66mbD
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) July 17, 2018
Nine minutes later and it was double the advantage for Leeds United with Roofe’s neat lay-off, after being played in by Adam Forshaw, to Luke Ayling being turned in by the rampaging right-back.
In truth it was a brace of goals that had been threatening since the start as the high-power, high-pressing of a Marcelo Bielsa inspired Whites took the game to their League Two opponents.
The opening from the Whites went some way to dispel the dissenting voices that fans were expressing when the starting XI was announced. Here’s how some of the fans reacted to the opening brace from Kemar Roofe and Luke Ayling.
What? No GOOOAAAAALLLLL? I couldn’t give a shit if it’s pre season Phil, I rely on you for score updates and nearly scrolled right past that muted response!! Pull yourself together man!!
— Rob Craven (@Craven86rob) July 17, 2018
Announce promotion!
— Jordan Brown (@jordancbrown) July 17, 2018
We are going up, we are going up. #lufc
— Terry Coburn (@TerryCoburn) July 17, 2018
You’re showing disrespect to Rovers Phil!! A goal for #lufc is a GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLL, no matter who the opposition.
— ksamdani (@ksamdani) July 17, 2018
Luke Ayling top goalscorer this season imo
— Ash Cook (@ashcook4) July 17, 2018
Bielsa is doing bits. Odds on BPF to score?
— … (@jtttttt87) July 17, 2018
It might only be against League Two opposition in Forest Green Rovers, but Leeds United are looking promising when attacking and, after allowing Dale Grubb a blast from 18 yards, go in at half-time 2-1 to the good.