Daniel Farke has previewed Leeds United’s match against Coventry City with one of the key topics covered how he keeps fringe players happy.
The Championship is notoriously renowned for its intense fixture scheduling but with only six matches of the season gone, Farke hasn’t really been forced into rotating yet.
In fact, the majority of Farke’s changes from game-to-game so far have come as a result of injuries, rather than due to the need to keep players fresh.
However, for the first time, that could change over the next week or so. Leeds are due to play three matches in just six days, two of which are long away trips to Norwich City and Sunderland.
Joe Gelhardt was a player specifically mentioned by Farke, but the likes of Ao Tanaka, Joe Rothwell, Joel Piroe, Isaac Schmidt and Sam Byram have all played very little too.
Farke comments on Joel Piroe’s role at Leeds this season
For those players who are struggling for minutes, the onus is on them to make an impact whenever they get the opportunity from the bench. Piroe is certainly doing that.
Despite starting just once, no Leeds player has scored more goals than Piroe this season. He has netted twice and assisted another, all in appearances as a substitute.
Farke hailed Piroe as the Championship’s best finisher last week and has once again talked him up in his pre-Coventry City press conference.
The Leeds boss says Piroe remains a ‘key player’ for him this season despite his lack of game time, and insists there will be opportunities for him to start throughout the campaign.
He said: “Also, for example, Joel Piroe, he’s for me a key player. He’s started many games for us but there are some when he comes from the bench.
“I’m sure he will start many games for us, but you also need players from the bench who can turn the momentum, because if you bring players in with no effect, it’s tricky.
“It’s always the same, you have to be focused and concentrated in training when your chance comes. It’s not like share equally game time to win Nobel Peace Prize, when you get a chance you just have to grab it, this is how this business works at this level.
Piroe is the Championship’s most impactful sub
Piroe has been criticised a fair bit since his £10.5 million arrival from Swansea City due to his failure to nail his position as either a number nine or 10.
However, he certainly seems to have found his role this season. Whenever Leeds are ahead in matches and getting space in the final third, Piroe is the perfect sub.
Piroe’s impressive finishing ability means he has twice been able to kill off a match with Leeds 1-0 ahead and avoid the need for a nervy ending.
