Gus Poyet tips 'very good' Joel Piroe to fire Leeds United back to Premier League

Gus Poyet has said that Joel Piroe has made a "very good" start to life with Leeds United and has predicted that the Dutchman can fire the Whites to promotion.

The forward arrived from Swansea City for a fee reportedly worth over £10 million [BBC Sport, 24 August] and the 24-year-old has had an excellent start to life at Elland Road, scoring four times in five Championship appearances for the Whites.

Piroe has struck up an excellent partnership with Georginio Rutter, with the pair posing a threat whenever they venture forward and Greece national team manager Poyet, a former Leeds assistant boss, believes Piroe has what it takes to return Leeds to the top flight.

Speaking to Football League World (30 September) he said: "Joel Piroe has made a very good start to his time at Leeds and I think it was a good buy, the rumours suggest it was an expensive purchase for the Championship, although we don’t officially know the price.

"But if you have a good number nine, as well as a good goalkeeper, then half of your job as the coach is done. I think his impact has been tremendous and if he can maintain this level of performance then I have no doubts that he will keep scoring and Leeds will be promoted.”

Halfway there

It seems a little early to be suggesting that the Whites are halfway to promotion, but judging by Poyet's checklist, Leeds United match the criteria required to go up. Illan Meslier has been in excellent form for Daniel Farke's side, while Rutter and Piroe have been consistent in front of goal.

Although the deal to get the Dutchman this summer was an expensive one, he has proven to be more than worth that fee with his early displays at Elland Road and should he fire Leeds United back to the Premier League, his impact will be invaluable.

Maintaining his current record for the entirety of the 46-game Championship campaign will be difficult, but he looks on track to hit the landmark 20-goal category that every manager wants their number nine to reach. Should both Piroe and Rutter come close to the target figure, it will be a huge step towards the promotion places.

Add a returning Patrick Bamford into the mix and Farke has a frontline that will likely be the envy of most teams in England's second tier. You can understand why many like Poyet are already tipping Leeds for promotion this season.

In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has revealed what Sam Allardyce told the higher-ups at Elland Road about Rutter