Daniel Farke must start Joel Piroe in Leeds United v Cardiff City, history speaks for itself
Daniel Farke must bring Joel Piroe back into the starting XI as Leeds United prepare to face Cardiff City on Saturday (21 September).
The Dutchman has struggled to break into the line-up so far this season, with Brenden Aaronson occupying the attacking midfield option and Mateo Joseph being given a run of games at striker.
Both players have been performing well, especially Joseph who has notched one goal and two assists in his first five league appearances, and even impressing on international duty during the break.
This has come at the expense of Piroe’s happiness at Elland Road, with David Norris suggesting the 25-year-old has become “frustrated” with his lack of game time.
History would suggest that Farke would be making a good decision by throwing him into the fray to face the Bluebirds, given his record against the Welsh side.
Joel Piroe to start in Leeds United v Cardiff City?
In four meetings, Piroe has been on the winning side each time and has even hit the back of the net on two occasions, seeing him score every 132 minutes against Cardiff.
The Whites are currently five points off the top of the Championship table, with West Brom claiming 13 points from their opening five matches of the campaign.
At the other end of the spectrum, Cardiff are in a difficult predicament. Erol Bulut’s men have just one point so far, taking a draw against bitter rivals Swansea City, who Piroe knows all too well.
With just one goal scored and 11 goals conceded for the Bluebirds, Leeds cannot afford to slip up against them and Farke could be making a mistake if he refuses to start Piroe this weekend.
Despite being in and out of the team last season, he still managed to notch 13 goals and three assists, and after the departures of Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter, his talents are needed.
In other Leeds United news, Daniel Farke’s side have been handed a boost as one of Cardiff’s players have been ruled out for two months.
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