Neil Redfearn was ‘really pleased’ to see one Leeds United player step up on Saturday as the Whites welcomed Plymouth Argyle to Elland Road for a Championship contest.
An automatic promotion place was up for grabs as second-tier fixtures kicked off around the nation this weekend. Leeds are in the thick of the race for promotion once again this season after stumbling in the play-off final last term. But Daniel Farke’s XI have lacked consistency.
The Whites welcomed Plymouth to Elland Road unbeaten in their previous seven games. Yet Farke had only watched Leeds win four of those sandwiched with two draws. A phenomenal first 45 minutes at home to the Pilgrims put Leeds on course to change that trend, however.
Neil Redfearn was thrilled to see Joel Piroe score as Leeds United hosted Plymouth Argyle
Goals by Daniel James and Joel Piroe in quick succession in the 30th and 33rd minutes put Leeds in control against Plymouth. Brenden Aaronson also got in on the act by adding a goal in the 38th minute to pile further misery on Wayne Rooney’s relegation-threatened Pilgrims.
Seeing Piroe bag the 25-year-old’s fifth goal of the Championship campaign also enthralled Redfearn as the former Leeds United manager watched the action against Plymouth. Piroe is enjoying his best run in Farke’s team so far this season after recording his fifth straight start.
READ MORE: How Leeds United fans reacted to Daniel Farke’s XI vs Plymouth Argyle
Farke was obliged to start Piroe with Leeds missing Patrick Bamford against Plymouth due to illness. But Redfearn relished the former Netherlands Under-20 striker’s work in and around the Pilgrims’ box. The quality of Piroe’s finish was even the cherry on top of Redfearn’s cake.
“I am really pleased for Piroe because he is playing really well in this game,” Redfearn said on BBC Radio Leeds (02/11, 15:33). “He looks lively, holding the ball well for his teammates, just to bring them into the game, and it’s a great finish.”
Redfearn also added: “Brilliant round the box with the second phase movements, and then great composure when it drops to Piroe. Another great finish.”
Joel Piroe had the fewest touches by a Leeds player before scoring vs Plymouth
Piroe scored to give Leeds a 2-0 lead at home to Plymouth with the Dutchman’s second shot of the Championship contest this Saturday. He had missed the mark in only the third minute of the match when Piroe first tried to test Pilgrims goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw early doors.
Only goalkeeper Illan Meslier with one had also penned fewer touches of the ball than Piroe with 10 by any Leeds player who started against Plymouth before he scored. Aaronson took the second-fewest touches by all Whites players during the opening 33 minutes with his 20.
But despite his limited involvement on the ball, Piroe made it count when presented with a chance to score in Bamford’s absence. It also ended his run of three appearances without a goal since Piroe scored at Sunderland – a run which even yielded one of his first two assists.
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