Leeds United attacker Joel Piroe believes the ability to be in the right place to score goals is both taught, and natural to him.
Piroe was speaking to BBC West Yorkshire Sport ahead of Leeds’ trip to Hull City this evening where they will be looking to make it back-to-back wins on the road.
Leeds defeated Millwall 3-0 at the Den in their first match after the international break, with Piroe getting on the scoresheet twice to make it three goals in three appearances for his new club.
Piroe cited his second goal at Millwall as an example of his goal scoring ability coming naturally, as he tapped in from almost on the line to double Leeds’ lead.
Georginio Rutter had put it on a plate for Dan James to score himself, but the Welshman slipped as he got his shot away, which meant Piroe was the man to get the goal.
Piroe says knack for goals is taught and natural
Speaking ahead of tonight’s trip to Hull, Piroe says that it was ‘common sense’ James’ shot would be going towards the far post.
He said: “Yeah, of course I have been taught really well to always follow in, smell, feel where someone will play the ball and just be there. But I think as well it is also about being a bit greedy, that you want to be there to tap it in or be in the right place to receive the ball.
“I had it as well, but lots of training to try perfect it. You can see in so many moments, like the second goal for example, I know Dan James is going to hit it right-footed and when you think about it, the only place he can shoot it is the far post. Then just to be there to secure the goal, I think a bit of common sense, as well as smelling it.”
Leeds have missed that predatory instinct in front of goal for many years now with two of his three strikers for the club having come from inside the six-yard box.
While Piroe may not be playing as an out and out number nine, it is his quality to know when to be in the right place at the right time that ensures he is a prolific goalscorer.
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