Efficient Leeds United star leading the way in one crucial Championship stat and it proves Daniel Farke right

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It is fair to say that Leeds United are not yet playing at their brilliant best and importantly, Danie Farke does not yet know his best side and even if he did he wouldn’t be able to pick it.

A tricky start to the season that has included trips to West Brom and Norwich as well games against early leaders Sunderland and Burnley, have coincided with a difficult and growing injury list at Elland Road.

But Leeds have come out the other side. It would have looked a lot better with a 2-1 win at Sunderland but Illan Meslier’s bizarre error has left Leeds in fifth place with 16 points from nine games, losing once.

A solid run of four wins and four draws as well as clocking up five clean sheets. Given all that’s happened, a decent effort from Daniel Farke and his players but automatic promotion is not won via sympathy.

Leeds still need to go and do it and they need some players to step up and replace the losses of Archie Gray, Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville. A couple certainly are this season for Farke’s side.

• READ MORE: Olivier Dacourt picked the best player he played with at Leeds, back in 2019

Joel Piroe leading the way in one stat, proving Daniel Farke right

Wilfried Gnonto is probably the best player in the Championship right now. He has been unplayable in the last few weeks, simply unstoppable. Another two assists arrived for the Italy star on Friday night.

Brenden Aaronson looks good, Largie Ramazani has two goals, Junior Firpo is finally the player Leeds wanted when signing him from Barcelona and Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk are combining superbly.

But one player is thriving, despite only earning two Championship starts this season. Joel Piroe’s form off the bench convinced Farke to start him at Sunderland and he duly delivered, heading his fourth home.

Of all of this season’s Championship goalscorers, Piroe is scoring at a rate of 1.45 goals a game given his lack of minutes. That is miles ahead of second-placed Bristol City forward Fally Maluyu, who is on 0.94.

Farke said Piroe is the Championship’s best finisher and he’s right

The stats show that when given the chance, Piroe will score. Farke said Piroe was the best finisher in the league and he’s right, judging by the stats. It is nice to see a Leeds player taking their chances of late.

Not only do the stats show that Farke is right in saying Piroe is the Championship’s best finisher, but also the Leeds manager was vindicated in dropping Mateo Joseph for he Dutchman last time out on Wearside.

Piroe has had to endure criticism and even Sheffield United trying to unsettle Piroe during the summer. He has had to play out of position, but chuck Piroe up top and there is no doubt he will score goals.