It was another frustrating afternoon for Leeds United on Saturday as they failed to overcome a physical Luton Town side at Kenilworth Road, drawing 1-1 with Matt Bloomfield’s side.
Leeds did not deserve to win with Luton and Leeds sharing the chances. Despite that, Luton boss Matt Bloomfield said he expects Leeds to go up and Carlton Morris described Leeds as a Premier League club.
But, for all that Leeds have done this season, they have been undone by their last six matches. Just one win in that time, drawing the last three and allowing Sheffield United and Burnley to move ahead.
Given the circumstances, it wasn’t an entirely bad performance from Leeds. A Luton side that chose to punt the ball into the air at every opportunity, disrupting Leeds when the ball was on the deck.
Joel Piroe struggles and earns Daniel Farke anger early on
Piroe was poor on Saturday. The Dutchman is renowned for going missing in games but incredibly, Piroe lost 16 of 17 duels he was involved in. Luton’s centre-backs won header after header against the striker.
While Piroe does have 21 goals and assists this season, the £16m Leeds signing has gone six games with no goal or assist. On eight minutes, Farke was frustrated with Piroe according to Bryn Law, on LUTV.
Piroe came into midfield to receive a short pass from Pascal Struijk, with a man up his backside. He tried to lay off a first-time pass to Junior Firpo, but instead cleared the ball into touch for a Luton throw-in.
“Struijk, straight ball into Piroe but that’s not going to work. It comes off Piroe and out it goes, that will be a Luton throw-in and Daniel Farke, down below, is not entirely happy,” Law said while commentating.
Could Joel Piroe be replaced on Tuesday night at Middlesbrough?
Brenden Aaronson has struggled of late and was taken out of the starting line-up at Luton. Illan Meslier has been finally removed for Karl Darlow, with the Wales no.1 providing a solid and reliable performance.
So, Farke has it in his locker to remove those who are struggling in the starting line-up. Leeds fans want Manor Solomon replaced and it will be interesting to see if the on-loan Tottenham man retains his place.
Well, Piroe is another that is in bad form and could do with taking out of the firing line. The issue Leeds have is that having signed no striker in January, they are left with Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford.
Joseph was absent on Saturday due to illness and Bamford did well in his 30-minute cameo, but it was his first minutes since an injury on New Year’s Day. If Farke was to replace Piroe, the options aren’t reliable.
However, in seven games against Middlesbrough, Piroe has a very good record. Three goals, three wins and two assists against the Teesside club and perhaps, Farke is forced to stick with the Dutchman up top.
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