Joel Piroe was the guy we signed to score goals, which I always assumed was something that a striker does. Those who watch football through the Twitter tactico and data lenses were sceptical of the idea that he was the man to be Leeds’ centre-forward. Time has proven that to be true, but only after Daniel Farke tried playing him behind Georgi Rutter, both out of position.

Scapegoating Piroe when things break down for Farke’s Leeds United has become part and parcel of supporting the club in 2024/25. An attack breaks down when Piroe gets the ball? Nice one, Piroe. Jayden Bogle concedes a stupid penalty? Bloody Piroe. Manor Solomon gives Burnley an almost clear run at goal? Thanks Piroe. And so on, and so on.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe Piroe is a number 10, nor is he the right fit to start up front in this team. But he is something, I think. What that actually is, now that’s the question.

Though we ‘know’ that Piroe is neither a traditional number 10, nor the modern centre-forward that Farke’s football craves, we do know one thing: he can score goals. His goal on Saturday at Cardiff was his fifteenth for Leeds, and it was a strike that I’d back only him to score in this squad. His composure allows him to hit the ball dead hard and accurately, as he did when smashing it past Cardiff ‘keeper Jak Alnwick from an angle. In Leeds’ 2-0 win over Hull last month, he showed similar disdain for Champo stoppers when Ivor Pandur tried to prevent the inevitable as Piroe bore down on goal to kill the game in the 81st minute. Two goals in three games, both similar in time and impact. How do we make that happen more often?

Perhaps something that happens twice is merely a coincidence, but I’m choosing to believe that Piroe is best served as an impact sub this season. Being a substitute has often carried a negative connotation in sport, especially in football. I was often a sub when I played football as a kid, because I was rubbish. Some players are better suited to the bench, whether due to fitness or the pressure that comes with starting, and some are just better at reading a match that’s already in motion. I’m not enough of a footballing mind to say which one of these Piroe fits, but his two goals — plus the injury-time assist for Brenden Aaronson on the opening day against Portsmouth — indicate a man made to steal the show.

Having a £10m+ Championship signing play a supporting role is a luxury that most clubs in this league cannot afford, but it seems like the most sensible option. Now’s not the time for massaging egos in the recruitment team, nor saving face in the boardroom. We spent a lot of money on a striker who (probably) doesn’t fit how we want to play. Okay, get over it. We’ve been here before, we’ll no doubt be here again.

Some of the criticism of Piroe is Farke’s fault. Playing him as a ‘number 10’ has almost never worked, except for the odd time when he’d pop up and score from the edge of the box, or when he ghosted through Millwall’s defence this time last year to score a wonderful goal. On the whole, he doesn’t offer enough in the role. It doesn’t take a tactico to see that. Farke’s system isn’t built to suit him and it has never felt like much effort was being made to tailor their approach to the strengths of last summer’s marquee signing.

He still scored thirteen Championship goals last season, and put away both his goals in this one from an expected goals value of 0.57. If Leeds can become a better team for an hour or so without him on the pitch, then they can afford to have Piroe come on and give the opposing defence something else to think about.

Give me Piroe the poacher, not Piroe the playmaker. If Leeds get promoted and he scores ten or more goals from his cameo appearances, then consider it a job well done. If not, the club will burn like the last days of Rome and Piroe’s transfer fee will be a financial footnote on the epitaph of Leeds United, like Peter Ridsdale’s exotic fish. No pressure, Joel. ⬢