BBC pundit issues verdict on Joel Piroe performance in Leeds win

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Aidy White has admitted that Joel Piroe does drift in and out of games, but is in the Leeds United side due to his ability in front of goal.

White was speaking on BBC Radio Leeds after the Dutchman scored what proved to be the winning goal on Saturday as Leeds beat Plymouth 2-1 at Elland Road.

Joel Piroe has had an interesting time since making a move to Leeds in the summer. It appeared to be a really exciting signing for the Whites with Daniel Farke’s men crying out for a goalscorer.

Joel Piroe drifts in and out of Leeds games

Piroe has definitely had some bright moments. His debut came in that exhilarating win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road. And he has now scored six times.

However, it is probably fair to say that Piroe has not yet found his best form. But when he is in front of goal, he definitely comes to life – as proven with his goal in the win over Plymouth on Saturday.

Aidy White believes that Piroe can be quiet for much of the game. However, he suggested that the onus is also on his teammates to help get the best out of him.

“He’s very good in front of goal. His goal tally at Swansea showed that. It’s probably why we’ve signed him,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “Okay, I agree, he does lose the ball with his back to goal. And he drifts in and out of games.

“However, he’s probably on the pitch because you know he’s going to put it in the back of the net. So we just need to get him into those areas, the players around him, the creative players that are going to get him into those areas, give it to Piroe. Hopefully we get a few more goals.”

Dilemma for Daniel Farke

The challenge for Daniel Farke is how to get the best out of Piroe without rocking the boat. Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville are arguably two of the best players in the Championship. And Daniel James has never been better in a Leeds shirt.

And it must be noted that Piroe has still scored six goals in 13 league games. That is not a terrible return by any means.

Ultimately, Leeds are creating the number of chances which should allow them to blow teams away. Perhaps we would be more clinical if it was Piroe on the end of more of the chances. But so much is going right for the front four right now.

So Farke may feel that he is content to keep things as they are – even if that does not exactly play to Piroe’s strengths.