Leeds United face one of their toughest matches of the season so far when they travel to Millwall in the Championship.
Millwall have won three matches in a row including against Leeds’ promotion rivals Burnley last time out, and are on the brink of a place in the top six.
Leeds could not have asked for an easier game than Saturday’s 3-0 win over Plymouth Argyle to use as preparation for their trip to the Den, dominating 78 per cent of the ball and not facing a single shot all afternoon.
As such, Daniel Farke was able to rest some key players towards the end as Brenden Aaronson, Dan James, Wilfried Gnonto and Joe Rothwell were all brought off early.
However, Millwall will be a completely different game to what Plymouth was and Farke needs to ensure his team selection is based off more than what went on at Elland Road on Saturday.
Farke needs to make brave Joel Piroe decision for Leeds
Plymouth could not have sat back any deeper against Leeds. Wayne Rooney effectively set-up with a back six and was happy for Leeds to have the ball, without any pressure whatsoever.
Millwall, on the other hand, are full of confidence and will be backed by an intimidating home crowd who will be expecting their side to be on the front foot and pressing.
As such, it won’t be anywhere near as easy for Leeds to play their patient passing game and so with that in mind, Farke needs to be ruthless with a change in attack.
Despite how impressed Neil Redfearn was with his goal and performance, Joel Piroe should be dropped to the bench at the Den, with Mateo Joseph taking his place in the starting XI.
Leeds are going to needs Joseph‘s runs in behind as a get-out card when they come under pressure, something which £10.5m ace Piroe doesn’t really offer.
Joseph is also far more reliable at linking play and holding the ball up, which is again going to be important to stop Millwall winning back possession and countering.
Piroe is more suited to those home games Leeds dominate and with a short turnaround for Saturday’s clash with Queens Park Rangers, Farke should start him in that game instead.
Farke should use Piroe as deadly bench option
Rotation is going to be key for Farke to get through this week with as many points as possible, and while Piroe shouldn’t start, he will still have a role to play.
Three of Piroe’s five goals this season have come as a substitute, showing how deadly he can be off the bench.
If Leeds are ahead in the match, he would be the perfect player to bring on for Farke to try and kill the game, as the space would be there for him to find and get into goalscoring positions.
Joseph can effectively do all the hard yards in the first 60/70 minutes, with Piroe then bringing the goalscoring touch to finish the game.
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