Tony Dorigo suggested that one Leeds United player had actually been superb during the second-half of the lacklustre defeat to Coventry City on Saturday.
Leeds missed the chance to go to the top of the Championship table this weekend. Norwich City did their former boss Daniel Farke a big favour by beating Ipswich Town earlier in the day.
However, Leeds were punished by the Sky Blues. Coventry took a 2-0 lead shortly after the break. And the Whites only seemed to find some momentum and urgency during the latter stages of the second-half.
Had Leeds been able to fight their way back, many would have pointed to the changes made midway through the second-half as a key moment.
Leeds star praised by Tony Dorigo despite Coventry defeat
Mateo Joseph staked a further claim for a first league start with a bright cameo. But Joel Piroe was also able to make an impact after replacing Ilia Gruev.
Piroe has come in for some criticism in recent months after struggling to capitalise on a bright start to life at Elland Road. But it was the Dutchman who got Leeds back into the game on Saturday with a smart finish.
And after Piroe linked up well with Joseph before having a strike at goal, Tony Dorigo told LUTV that he had been impressed by the 24-year-old.
“Excellent play. Piroe, since he’s come on has been actually superb,” he said.
“Of course, scored the goal as well. But moving around well and an excellent ball into Joseph, who lays it off. Just slightly bouncing so Piroe didn’t quite catch it as well as he would like. But on target, good play.”
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Obviously, it was Piroe who would miss a great chance in the final stages. The forward scuffed his shot at a time when Leeds needed someone to show some real composure.
In many ways, that cameo sums up Piroe’s time at Leeds so far. He has scored a number of goals – including some really big ones – but he has not quite been the key man many would have hoped he would be.
Nevertheless, changes need to be made in attack for Tuesday’s clash with Sunderland. Patrick Bamford is out of form right now. And he was poor again on Saturday.
Many fans will understandably want Joseph to start. But Piroe is the £12 million striker in our squad. So he needs to step up if Farke decides to give him a chance.