Jermaine Beckford thinks one Leeds United player offers something different to all of his teammates in the final third, even if he has started only four times since February.
Leeds go up against Southampton in the Championship play-off final on Sunday afternoon at Wembley, with the chance to join Leicester City and Ipswich Town in gaining promotion to the Premier League.
The Whites will be slight favorites to win the match on Sunday but come up against a Southampton side that only finished three points behind in the league, and beat Leeds both at Elland Road and at St. Mary’s.
The 4-0 win over Norwich has seen Leeds regain some much-needed momentum after missing out on automatic promotion back to the top tier, but it also saw Joel Piroe produce his best Leeds display.
The Dutchman was handed only his fourth League start since February, named as a sub in the other 10 Championship matches. But he starred, scoring his 14th goal for the club since joining Leeds for £16m.
Leeds icon Beckford spoke to LUTV’s play-off final preview show and says Piroe gives Daniel Farke’s side something that when he isn’t playing, Leeds lack. No other player is able to provide, what he provides.
Jermaine Beckford raves about Leeds star Joel Piroe
Piroe put his head where it hurts to get on the end of Willy Gnonto’s gorgeous cross against Norwich and that goal will have done him the world of confidence, with Piroe admitting he is not happy with his form.
While Piroe’s ability to dictate two central defenders and engage in build-up play is not as good as that of Patrick Bamford, his finishing is deadly. Beckford says Leeds lack his calmness in attack when not playing.
“He’s one of those players, he’s so calm in front of goal. That’s something we lack when he’s not in the team. The last game, Norwich, I actually think that was his best personal performance, his energy.
“Up and down the pitch, he was going for every single ball. That is the kind of player we thought we were going to sign initially. The area that people say needed improvement was his energy,” Beckford said.
Piroe set to start play-off final as Leeds face Southampton
During Friday’s press conference, Farke made the announcement that one-time England man Bamford would be unavailable for the clash and that in turn means it will be Piroe that gets the nod on Sunday.
Piroe has endured a difficult season but with the confidence and momentum he will have garnered from last time out, he will be a man ready to back himself if he gets a chance to score at Wembley today.
Having scored against Southampton last time out with a gorgeous swing of his weaker right foot, you would think Piroe has more confidence than he has ever going into a Leeds game come Sunday.