There is a slight feeling of frustration following Saturday’s win over QPR at Elland Road on Saturday despite Leeds United securing an eighth Championship win of the season.
Leeds returned to second place in the Championship table after a 1-0 loss to Millwall on Wednesday night, albeit until Sunday afternoon’s Sheffield derby between United and Wednesday at Bramall Lane.
It was another Championship win for Leeds, an eighth victory from 15 league games. It was also a ninth clean sheet for Leeds, as Illan Meslier sits top of the golden glove rankings ahead of Sunday afternoon.
Jayden Bogle scored his second goal of the season for Leeds with a slightly wonky finish after a bit of a goalmouth scramble, before Joel Piroe came off the bench to score again for Leeds to make it 2-0.
Wilfried Gnonto heaps praise on Leeds United star Joel Piroe
The £16m signing now has six goals this season, four of which have come as a sub. Piroe has more goals as a sub in a calendar year for Leeds than any other player in the club’s history, quite the achievement.
Piroe was initially rested by Daniel Farke as the German handed Mateo Joseph a start against a QPR side struggling at the other end of the table. Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Gnonto heaped praise on Piroe.
“I think they [finishes for two goals] were both good. The first goal [Gnonto chuckles], Jayden did a good job. But with Joel, we know what he can do, his finishes are always perfect and that’s what he did.”
Joel Piroe’s stats for Leeds during cameo role against QPR
Piroe was brought into the game on 72 minutes and clocked up his 20th goal since his move to Elland Road from Swansea. Right now, Piroe is easily the first-choice striker with Patrick Bamford an outcast.
Joel Piroe’s stats for Leeds against QPR as a sub:
- XG and XA (Expected goals and expected assists): 0.63, Leeds’ second-highest
- Three shots, one on target, one goal, three touches in opposition box
- 12 touches, four successful passes, seven attempted
- 0 duels won, two lost
Farke says Piroe is the Championship’s best-finisher and there is no doubt the Dutchman is right up there in terms of his ability to finish. He has had his criticisms, but right now, he is easily Leeds’ best striker.
But he won’t be seen for the next fortnight with Piroe not a part of his country’s National side. Leeds are next in action on November 24, when the Whites go to Wales to take on Swansea before facing Luton.
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