Another controlled performance came the way of Leeds United on Saturday against a side that The Whites struggled to deal with last season, in the form of Coventry City.
Goals from Wilfried Gnonto, Jayden Bogle and Joel Piroe saw Leeds secure a fourth league win of the season, and a very impressive fifth clean sheet in those seven matches as pressure eased on Daniel Farke.
Leeds have gone about things slightly differently to last season. More focus is being placed on defence and controlling games, stifling opponents and stopping any counter attacks, thus removing any threat.
It has seen Leeds concede just one goal in their last six Championship games, after three on the opening day against Portsmouth. Illan Meslier, Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk have been rock-solid in defence.
But, having Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu in front of them helps. It allows the attackers to go and play freely with the knowledge that the defence is in place behind them, and one of those attackers is on fire.
Joel Piroe continues fine run of form for Leeds, from the bench
The Dutchman might be preferring to start games for Leeds. He may feel he deserves to be playing in Mateo Joseph’s role rather than coming off the bench for a few minutes, but it is definitely working.
Five of his eight goals for Leeds in 2024 have come off the bench, with all three of his goals this season coming off the bench. Piroe has scored goals against Hull, Cardiff and now Coventry on Saturday.
Piroe took to Instagram after the match and underlined his delight at scoring once again off the bench. Another sign he is completely unaffected by Sheffield United’s attempts to unnerve Piroe in the summer.
Piroe said: “Another good win, but a big week ahead. We keep pushing.”
Gnonto and Firpo impressed by Piroe’s form in front of goal
Piroe was always one of the Championship’s most-lethal strikers. Farke recently said Piroe was the Championship’s best finisher, and he proved as much once again on Saturday in the win against Coventry.
It might have been a bit of an untidy finish but his positioning inside the box, his body position and his ability to get a shot off on the move shows just the predatory striker Piroe is and how key he is for Leeds.
Plenty of Leeds players responded to Piroe’s Instagram post but it was Gnonto and Firpo that summed up just what everyone is thinking about Piroe, describing him as “no misses” and “Mr one chance”.
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