Joel Piroe set new challenge at Elland Road after Leeds United win v Cardiff City
Tony Dorigo has challenged Joel Piroe to show Daniel Farke he can perform as a starter to win back his place at Leeds United.
The Dutchman came off of the bench to score his second goal of the Championship season against Cardiff City on Saturday (21 September) having fallen behind Mateo Joseph in Farke’s pecking order.
Although LUTV pundit Dorigo believes the 25-year-old has been impressive as a “super-sub” so far this season, he doesn’t think the forward will be happy only coming on for cameo appearances at the end of matches.
Speaking on The Square Ball podcast (23 September, 19:48) he said: “I’m sure players don’t want to be labelled with a super-sub tag, but he does come on and do a great job.
“I think what’s important is that if he does keep coming on and performing well then at some point he wants to play, he wants to start.
“When he does get that opportunity, that’s when he has to do the same thing.”
What has happened to Joel Piroe at Leeds United and Elland Road?
From the moment he arrived at Elland Road last summer, Piroe has proven to be a bit of an enigma at Leeds United in more ways than one.
The forward’s goal record in Leeds colours is reasonable, despite the fact no one quite seems certain of what his best position is or whether or not he should be starting week in and week out for Farke’s side.
So far this season, the 25-year-old has impressed when deployed as a number nine late on in matches and demonstrated his clinical edge in the final third with some excellent finishes that have secured points for the Whites.
But on the rare occasions he has started, Piroe has looked off of the pace. Against West Brom in particular, the Dutchman was incredibly wasteful in position as he started as a number 10 just behind Joseph.
His goalscoring heroics against Cardiff may well have earned him a start against Coventry City on Saturday (28 September), it is now down to the forward to grab the opportunity with both hands.
In other Leeds United news, Chris Sutton has clashed with one supporter live on air over a new Farke verdict at Elland Road
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