Saturday’s 3-0 win over Coventry City was a real statement of intent from Leeds United, against a side that while struggling this season presents a difficult challenge.
Last season, Leeds suffered defeat to Coventry away from home and could only manage a draw at Elland Road. On Saturday, Daniel Farke’s men cruised to a 3-0 win over Mark Robins’ side with a super display.
One difference this season at Leeds is Farke’s desire to control games better and stifle the opposition. It is certainly working, with Leeds picking up five clean sheets in their last six games and conceding only once.
Goals from Wilfried Gnonto, Jayden Bogle and Joel Piroe saw Leeds brush aside a Coventry side that have the quality to cause problems. But this Leeds side were no match for a struggling Coventry on Saturday.
Piroe has now scored three goals for Leeds, making him the club’s top scorer this season. All three have come from the bench, after scoring against Hull City and Cardiff City before his strike against Coventry.
Joel Piroe is starting to earn unwanted Leeds United role
Not only has all three of his goals come from the bench this season, but Piroe has eight goals in 2024 and five of those have been as a sub. He is showing that he can make an impact from the bench for Leeds.
But for Piroe personally, it could backfire. The Dutchman of course, would rather be starting games but it while he continues to shine off the bench, why would Farke bring him into the starting line-up for Leeds?
Just one league start has come Piroe’s way this season and while Farke thinks Piroe is the best finisher in the Championship, the Dutchman is clearly not going to start while he continues to shine as a super sub.
Should Farke start Piroe against Norwich on Tuesday night?
Or, should the German gaffer continue with Mateo Joseph up top? Joseph has one goal and three assists in his seven Championship outings and for Piroe’s goal on Saturday, his work was absolutely instrumental.
Piroe’s career record vs Norwich for Leeds and Swansea:
- Five career appearances
- Four starts, one sub outing, one unused
- Three wins, one draw, one loss
- Just one goal, in play-off semi-finals.
What should be taken into account ahead of Tuesday night is that in five appearances against Farke’s old men, Piroe only has one goal. Last season, Piroe did not score in the normal-season games vs Norwich.
But everyone will remember Piroe’s first-career goal against Norwich, when he headed home Gnonto’s stunning cross to put Leeds 2-0 ahead in the second leg after Ilia Gruev’s opener direct from a free-kick.
Joseph is likely to be the given nod once again because his all-round play is more important to the side and with Piroe coming off the bench towards the end, there will be chances for the £16m Leeds signing.
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