It has been a tough season for Leeds United so far, with fans not used to their side losing half of the games they play. But for those not even starting under Daniel Farke, it must be infuriating.
Daniel Farke is renowned for being rigid when it comes to team selection. This season, he’s done the same, sticking by players consistently even if they aren’t in form. Brenden Aaronson is an example.
When winning games, it is understandable to keep the same team and name the same starting XI. But when losing matches, those on the bench must be thinking, surely it is time to make some changes?
But Willy Gnonto was missing on Sunday despite being in training for two weeks, and Dan James had to watch from the bench again. Joel Piroe was Leeds’ top scorer last season with a total of 19 goals.
Ross McCormack doesn’t think Joel Piroe is good enough
Bought for £16m from Swansea in the summer of 2023, Piroe has since scored 33 goals in 103 games for the Yorkshire side. He won the Golden Boot in the Championship last season, but with a low total of 19.
Asked by Jeff Stelling if Piroe deserves more of a chance in the side, Ross McCormack told TalkSPORT (11/11, 8.35AM) that manager Farke is right not to start Piroe, claiming he is not Premier League quality.
“Probably not to start Jeff, if I’m honest. He’s got minutes. He probably feels he is entitled to get a little bit more. I feel for him. I’ve always thought there is a league between Championship and Premier League.
“For certain players, that’s their level. Without being too harsh on Joel, I’d probably put him in that category. Maybe not good enough for a top Premier League club, but good enough to have a chance.”
If Joel Piroe were to start, Leeds could try a new formation
What the first two games of the season proved, with Piroe starting against Everton and Arsenal, is that he is not physical enough to start as a lone striker. He simply lacks the aerial ability and speed for that.
So, if Piroe was to start, then Leeds would need to change formation. A system that would allow Leeds to play with two up front, while keeping the midfield compact and remaining defensively solid.
A 3-5-2 system would allow Piroe to go alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but drop in and connect the midfield to the attack, which has been lacking in recent weeks. But there is one obstacle, and it’s Farke.
How Leeds could look with a 3-5-2 system:
Throughout the entirety of his first two seasons, Farke used a 4-2-3-1 system. Only when chasing a game late on did he change his system. This season, he has reverted to a 4-3-3, but it’s hardly a big change.
But if Leeds are to change system and adopt a new formation, the only way that happens is if Leeds do change their manager. There is no way that Farke admits his formation isn’t working and changes.
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