Archie Gray and Firpo send messages to Mateo Joseph after Leeds draw v Preston
Archie Gray and Junior Firpo send messages to Mateo Joseph after he helped Leeds United salvage a point in their 1-1 draw against Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday.
Daniel Farke’s side were edging closer to a defeat against the Lilywhites on 14 December when Joseph, who came on as an 82nd-minute substitute, forced an own-goal from Jack Whatmough three minutes into injury time.
The striker later took to social media to express his optimism, with close friend Gray, as well as Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, showing his support with a fire emoji.
Firpo, meanwhile, had more to say, writing: “El Matador”.
Archie Gray and Firpo send messages to Mateo Joseph after Leeds draw v Preston
While Joel Piroe and Patrick Bamford failed to deliver despite being on the pitch longer, Joseph stepped up for the West Yorkshire when his teammates needed him.
The Spain Under-21s international will be hopeful that the cameo will earn him a start against Oxford United at Elland Road next Saturday (21 December).
However, there is no denying that, like Piroe, Joseph’s lack of consistency in front of goal has a cause for concern for the Whites.
The 21-year-old, who only has two goals and three assists to show for his 21 Championship appearances, has not found the back of the net since netting in the 2-0 win against Sheffield United at home on 18 October.
Joseph needs to be scoring more often if he wants to establish himself as a regular starter under Farke, and more importantly if Leeds want to earn promotion.
There are shouts for the Elland Road outfit to rope in a new goalscorer in the January transfer window to avoid slip-ups in the second half of the season.
In other Leeds United news, Stuart Dallas called out this Whites star on Sky Sports after the draw on Saturday.
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