Sport Analyst Revealed What Is ‘Hindering’ Leeds From Promotion

Joel Piroe’s Leeds United impact revealed but Daniel Farke must solve one issue for promotion

If Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke had sent Joel Piroe onto the pitch at Elland Road asking for a response against Plymouth Argyle, he certainly got it. The ex-Swansea City striker had been isolated last week at Bristol City and hardly featured in a game that passed him by.

Much of that was not the fault of Piroe, but after a game in which he barely registered his presence and with Mateo Joseph sat warming the bench again, Piroe needed to underline his worth against Wayne Rooney’s men. He did that, and then some.

The 25-year-old scored Leeds’ second of game, with one of six attempts on goal, which included hitting the post with a lovely cushioned volley that was all about technique and deserved more. Piroe also played a major role in the third goal for Brenden Aaronson with one of the first-touch traps of the season followed by a backheel, much to the delight of the Eland Road supporters.

With five goals and two assists now to his name this season, Piroe is starting the build the type of numbers and have the sort of impact needed from a front man if you are going to be promotion contenders. With a goal in five different games and 13 matches played in total (though not all as a starter), the frontman’s impact is beginning to emerge on this side.

The frustration no doubt felt by many Leeds supporters will be the fact Piroe has not done it often enough since his arrival at the club, but there’s no denying that when he is as involved as he was against Plymouth and when Leeds play in a manner that brings the best out of him, both Piroe and Leeds look much better for it.

The key for Farke will be to bring that out of Piroe more often, with Patrick Bamford’s injuries and Joseph’s last of goals only serving to increase the pressure even more on Piroe to perform.