Credit: Imago

MOT Leeds News speaking to Ian Darke

Mon 24 March 2025 11:10, UK

Leeds United remain in the ascendancy in their bid to secure Premier League football back at Elland Road, but it will be far from an easy ride.

One win in their last three may be clutching a little for the critics given their 17-match unbeaten run beforehand, but the standard is such this season that Leeds are now just two points ahead of the play-off places.

Daniel Farke is desperate not to have to try and do it the hard way again following last year’s Wembley heartache, and will be relying on his ruthless attack to resume delivering in the final eight games.

Joel Piroe cannot be losing form at this stage

Piroe has become the vital spearhead of Farke’s attack, forcing his way into the starting line-up earlier in the season through his significant impacts from the bench.

However, just as the run-in approaches, the Dutchman has gone four full games without a goal, which have included some golden chances to hand Leeds more critical points.

Piroe, 25, has 15 Championship goals this term – a record bettered only by Norwich City’s Borja Sainz on 17. Sainz has just returned to his stride after a ban and a dry spell in front of goal – the latter something Piroe simply must avoid.

TV commentator Ian Darke, speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, believes Piroe is suffering a loss of confidence at present, at the worst possible time for his manager.

However, he backs the striker to “flood” in with the goals once the next one goes in.

“His confidence has probably taken a knock,” Darke said.

“He’s missed some big chances, I remember the one at Portsmouth the other week. It’s in the nature of life for a goalscorer that you have purple patches and little droughts.

“It’s likely that he’ll come up with a goal again soon, and that might set him off on another run – or at least Leeds will hope. The last thing they want is his dry spell continuing until the end of the season. But after the drought, there can potentially be a flood.”

Leeds United take on Piroe’s former club next

Luckily for Piroe, Leeds boast a glittering attack at Championship level and will not be solely reliant on him, rather the likes of Dan James, Manor Solomon and Brenden Aaronson as well.

But Piroe will be putting the pressure on himself, especially considering the doubters he has had at times this season and last, along with the fact that Farke shunned him in favour of Mateo Joseph at the start of the campaign.

Leeds next take on Swansea City, for whom Piroe bagged 46 goals in 96 games between 2021 and 2023, before he was plucked and brought to Elland Road for a £12million fee.