David Prutton gives Joel Piroe verdict in Leeds United play-off final debate
Former Leeds United midfielder David Prutton believes Joel Piroe has earned the right to start ahead of Patrick Bamford in the Championship play-off final against Southampton.
Leeds thumped Norwich City 4-0 in their semi-final second leg to reach the Wembley decider on 26 May, with Piroe heading home the Whites’ second goal 20 minutes into the contest.
Although Bamford is nearing a return to fitness and could be in contention to start on Sunday, Sky Sports pundit Prutton believes Daniel Farke should stick with the team that did the job against Norwich.
In quotes reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post (21 May), Prutton said: “To be that emphatic in that game and then completely change it up (for Bamford), I think would be slightly unfair on Joel.
“It’s got to be the best team to face Southampton. I would leave it as it is because of the way that they approached the game.
“There are fine margins between a Patrick and a Joel leading the line but I think given how good he was, what it brought out of Georginio (Rutter) and the players around them, I think you leave it as it is.”
Joel Piroe proves his worth for Leeds United
Leeds should, and must, name the same starting XI against Southampton that they did against Norwich at Elland Road on May 16, with Piroe spearheading the attack and Bamford waiting for his chance off the bench.
Not only is Bamford still making his way back from a knee injury, with Farke yet to confirm if he’ll even be fit enough to appear at Wembley, but Piroe had by far his best game in the White shirt in that semi-final.
The Dutchman’s link-up play was reminiscent of Bamford at his peak under Marcelo Bielsa, and his finishing was deadly, nodding past Angus Gunn to make it 2-0 from Willy Gnonto’s peach of a cross.
Piroe had a chance to net his second from close range just moments into the second half, but Gunn denied him, and before that had set in motion the move that led to Rutter putting the hosts 3-0 up.
Norwich came to Elland Road looking to play their own game, but instead played right into Leeds’ hands and were hit for four amid one-way traffic in LS11.
Southampton, who have got the better of the Whites in both their league matches this season, will look to do the same at Wembley, but if Leeds are on song, they’ll fancy their chances of springing the same traps in clinical fashion.
Piroe played a huge part in that against Norwich, and for Leeds to have a chance of finally overcoming their bogey team and returning to the Premier League, he must lead the line to spearhead an attack that is hitting top gear at exactly the right time.
In other Leeds United news, Chris Sutton has been left baffled by a “ridiculous” new Patrick Bamford verdict live on air.
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