Leeds United have been in excellent form since the turn of the year, going unbeaten in 16 games and one big part of that is the form of Joel Piroe up front for The Whites.
On Monday night, Piroe slammed home his 15th goal of the season. Not only did it see the Dutchman go joint-first in the Championship goalscoring rankings, but it saw him go one better than last season’s tally.
That’s 29 goals now for Leeds across two seasons and with 12 games to go, it would be foolish to bet against Piroe reaching at least 35 goals for Daniel Farke’s side. He is in the best form of his Leeds spell.
But it’s not just been his form in front of goal. Leeds fans have noticed Piroe’s improved work rate of late, sprinting after more lost causes and more successfully applying pressure to opposition defenders.
Daniel Farke shares what Joel Piroe is doing behind the scenes
Indeed, some would say Piroe actually looks leaner than when he first joined The Whites for a £10m fee from Swansea in the summer of 2023. Farke discussed Piroe’s form in Thursday’s press conference.
He said that Piroe is in “outstanding” form and that the Dutchman has been working hard on his fitness. That fitness has allowed Leeds’ no.10 to be able to pull off more high-speed sprints, and his pressing.
“I’m not interested in the golden boot but I would take it. He plays with confidence, even if behind the striker. It’s totally up to him, his quality is never in doubt. He has shown this over several seasons.
“If you back him, he will always deliver goals. His fitness level is important for him so can deliver high sprints. He has worked hard to gain this level. His is doing outstanding at the moment,” Farke said.
Daniel Farke discusses Jayden Bogle issue ahead of West Brom
The right-back, like Piroe, has been in stunning form of late. Shining from the right flank and perfecting a relationship with Dan James but there is an issue, after Bogle picked up a yellow card against Sunderland.
That was his ninth yellow of the season and one more will see Bogle suspended for the next two matches. Given his form, and the drop off behind Bogle, Leeds cannot afford to lose him and Farke discussed it.
“Over the course of a season, you sometimes expect a player not be available. It could happen. I’d prefer him to go through next games without a 10th yellow card. There were one, two avoidable yellow cards.”
Leeds now face West Brom, the first of four games before the break. A side that currently sit in fifth and of the remaining 12 opponents, are the hardest Leeds will face judging by position in the league table.
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