Jon Newsome has commented on the cameo from Mateo Joseph after the Leeds United forward made his first appearance under Daniel Farke in the 2-0 win away at Blackburn Rovers.
Newsome was speaking on BBC Radio Leeds (broadcast on 9/12; 14:45) with Joseph coming on for the final minutes at Ewood Park.
Mateo Joseph was the beneficiary of Patrick Bamford being unavailable for the game. The 20-year-old was promoted to the bench and came on just before stoppage-time with Leeds looking to close out a victory.
Mateo Joseph praised after Leeds cameo
He did not have too long on the pitch to make an impression. But it seems that Jon Newsome was impressed by his contribution. And he backed Joseph to now be involved when Leeds face Sunderland in the coming week.
“Did great, didn’t he. Commented on it a few times in the commentary, physical, uses his body, makes it difficult for the defenders. Chased lost causes, everything that you want in a striker, in terms of that side of the game. Obviously I’ve watched him for the under-21s and he’s good in front of goal, he knows where the back of the net is. But the frustrating bit for him will be that he’s playing behind two strikers who are flying at the moment, and Patrick Bamford’s missing through illness,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.
“I think he’s done enough today, this afternoon for me, if I was Daniel Farke, to say you’re on the bus for me on Tuesday going to Sunderland.”
Important season for young striker
This could be a really important season for Joseph. He made a handful of appearances for the first-team last season. But obviously, it was not the time for a striker to come in and learn the ropes.
Clearly, he has hurdles to clear this season. Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter, as Newsome suggested, have been superb this term. But with Bamford yet to open his account for the campaign, there is an opportunity for Joseph.
He has been brilliant for the under-21s since signing. And it is a promising sign that he has come in and impressed with the handful of minutes he received on Saturday.
If he can establish himself as a first-team player this season, that could stand him in good stead for the future as Leeds set their sights on an immediate return to the Premier League this year.
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