Leeds United thrashed Plymouth Argyle 3-0 in the Championship on Saturday, as one star even tempted Neil Redfearn to describe them as an inspiration to young players.
A fantastic first half at Elland Road saw the Whites run riot at home to the Pilgrims to climb into the automatic promotion places. Burnley not playing away to Millwall until Sunday left the door open for Leeds to jump the Clarets and also pull within two points of Sunderland.
The Black Cats spurned a chance to keep their distance to Leeds in the Championship after a goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers. Plymouth, meanwhile, were likely just glad to keep Leeds at bay in the second half following eight minutes of misery late in the opening period.
Neil Redfearn praises Joel Piroe’s inspirational performance for Leeds vs Plymouth
Daniel James kicked off the punishment for Wayne Rooney’s relegation-threatened Pilgrims as Leeds broke the deadlock in the 30th minute against Plymouth. Only three minutes later and it was 2-0 with Joel Piroe stunning Redfearn by stepping up for Leeds against Plymouth.
Brenden Aaronson even got in on the act before the break as the Whites secured a 3-0 lead in the 38th minute. While the goals then dried up, Piroe would continue to dazzle Redfearn with the former Leeds United manager impressed most of all with the attacker’s movement.
READ MORE: How Leeds United fans reacted to Daniel Farke’s XI vs Plymouth Argyle
Daniel Farke was forced to rely on Piroe to start with Leeds missing Patrick Bamford against Plymouth due to illness. But the Dutchman delivered to such an extent that Redfearn hailed Piroe for being an inspiration to young players eager to learn how to master the striker role.
“Piroe’s movement is excellent,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “He holds and then bursts away from the defender. For young strikers, he is great to watch. He runs people under the ball.”
Joel Piroe still needs to improve his accuracy, despite an impressive performance
Delivering a performance of such quality that Redfearn viewed the forward as an inspiration further left some Leeds fans to eat humble pie having been unhappy to see Piroe start. The 25-year-old went into this weekend’s clash without a goal in his previous three appearances.
Piroe was even averaging fewer shots on target per 90 minutes in the Championship before the visit of Plymouth than Leeds teammates Mateo Joseph, who started on the bench, and Largie Ramazani. The Spaniard and the Belgian averaged 1.4 and 1.2 per 90 over Piroe’s 0.9.
It would be a similar story with his accuracy this Saturday, as well, with Piroe only managing to direct two of the Leeds striker’s six shots on target against Plymouth. No other player for either squad also attempted more than three shots before Charlie Crew came on for Piroe.
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