Joel Piroe admits surprise at role under Daniel Farke, took it ‘too literally’ in flop Leeds United draw with Sheffield Wednesday

Joel Piroe has taken the blame for his poor performance at number 10 as Leeds United drew with Sheffield Wednesday, saying it was “my own fault”.

Speaking to Adam Pope for BBC Radio Leeds on September 19, the Whites striker said that being fielded in the withdrawn role by Daniel Farke since his arrival from Swansea has been a “little bit of a surprise,” but that the staff have “explained it really well” and it is a role that “really suits me.”

However, after the 0-0 draw at Elland Road on September 2, the Dutchman revealed that he took the midfield assignment “too literally” and fell too far away from attack partner Georginio Rutter, but he has since worked to correct that.

The big-money signing has scored three times in three games for Leeds United, with a goal on debut in the 4-3 win at Ipswich and two in the 3-0 victory at Millwall sandwiching the disappointing home outing.

Adaptation

Piroe has been precisely as advertised since signing for an initial £10.5 million [Phil Hay, 24 August], averaging a goal per game.

The draw against struggling Wednesday was a letdown, as he barely got into the game, let alone into a position to threaten the scoreboard.

While it is perhaps surprising that Leeds United spent huge money for a striker only to play him off Rutter, who was previously viewed as more of a supporting attacker, it has paid off two out of three occasions.

It is perhaps less surprising that it worked on both instances when the opposition was forced to attack the Whites rather than sit back and crowd the area.

Piroe may be deployed as a number nine more frequently later in the season, but Farke plainly believes this is the best use of his assets for the time being.

And it is impossible to fault the 24-year-old in taking responsibility for his one poor game so far, while it sounds like he has already seen where he went wrong and worked to improve it, which judging by his opener at Millwall when played in by Rutter is already paying off.