Joel Piroe admits surprise at role under Daniel Farke, took it ‘too literally’ in flop Leeds United draw with Sheffield Wednesday
Joel Piroe has taken the blame for his poor performance at number 10 as Leeds United drew with Sheffield Wednesday, saying it was “my own fault”.
Speaking to Adam Pope for BBC Radio Leeds (19 September) the Whites striker admitted it has been a “little bit of a surprise” to be fielded in the withdrawn role by Daniel Farke since his arrival from Swansea but said the staff have “explained it really well” and it is a role that “really suits me”.
However, in the 0-0 at Elland Road on 2 September the Dutchman explained that he took the midfield assignment “too literally” and dropped too far from attack partner Georginio Rutter, but has since worked on addressing that.
The big-money signing has scored three times in three games for Leeds United, with a goal on debut in the 4-3 win at Ipswich and two in the 3-0 victory at Millwall sandwiching the disappointing home outing.
Adaptation
Taken as a whole Piroe has been exactly as advertised since he was signed for an initial £10.5million [Phil Hay, 24 August] in averaging a goal a game.
The draw against struggling Wednesday was certainly a disappointment though as he barely got into the game, let alone a position to threaten the scoreline.
While it is somewhat of a turn up that Leeds United spent big money on a striker only to play him off Rutter, who himself was previously seen as more of a supporting forward, it has paid off two times out of three.
It is perhaps less of a surprise that both the occasions it did work were away games where the opposition were more obliged to come at the Whites instead of sit back and crowd the space.
Piroe may end up being used as a number nine more frequently later in the season but clearly Farke thinks this is the best use of his assets for now.
And it is impossible to fault the 24-year-old in taking responsibility for his one poor game so far, while it sounds like he has already seen where he went wrong and worked to improve it, which judging by his opener at Millwall when played in by Rutter is already paying off.
In other Leeds United news, an unfortunate Whites ace was laughed at by a trio of Sky Sports pundits for what he did in his last game.