Leeds United were unceremoniously dumped out of the Carabao Cup in their opening match, suffering a 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough at Elland Road on Tuesday evening. This result follows a disappointing 3-3 draw with Portsmouth in their Championship opener on Saturday, leaving the Whites with a concerning six goals conceded in their first two outings of the season.
Middlesbrough dominated the second half, netting three goals in a 17-minute spell from the 50th to the 67th minute. While Leeds had largely held their own in the opening period, the defence crumbled under Boro's relentless pressure.
While defensive frailties are a clear concern, it was the lacklustre performance of Leeds' attackers, particularly Joel Piroe, that proved most disheartening. Even Brenden Aaronson, who had a decent showing against Portsmouth, failed to shine in this encounter.
Both Piroe and Aaronson were deployed as part of a three-man midfield behind Patrick Bamford. Despite a spirited effort, Leeds were unable to find the back of the net, and neither attacking midfielder could contribute a goal or assist.
However, Aaronson did generate one 'big chance' for his teammates, suggesting he was perhaps unlucky not to register an assist. The American international, who scored against Portsmouth, did not deliver a stellar display, but he still outperformed Piroe.
The stats reveal a clear disparity in the two players' contributions:
| | Brenden Aaronson | Joel Piroe |
|------------------|-----------------|------------|
| G/A | 0 | 0 |
| Big chances missed | 0 | 1 |
| Big chances created | 1 | 0 |
| Pass accuracy | 89% | 76% |
| Possession lost | 8x | 10x |
Piroe's performance was marred by poor possession retention, a missed 'big chance', and an overall lack of creative influence. In fact, the former Swansea star had fewer touches (33) than goalkeeper Karl Darlow (45), highlighting his minimal impact on the game. This lacklustre display earned him a damning match rating of 3/10 from LeedsLive reporter Beren Cross, who described the midfielder as a "non-existent threat".
Piroe's failure to seize this opportunity to impress manager Daniel Farke was particularly disappointing. On another day, he could have capitalised on his 'big chance' and potentially altered the course of the match. However, his overall contribution was simply not good enough.
Farke must now make a decisive decision regarding Piroe's future in the starting XI. The upcoming clash against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns presents an immediate opportunity to rectify the situation. It was a prime chance for the 25-year-old to showcase his worth, but instead, he has given Farke reason to question his starting position in upcoming games.
The German manager should strongly consider reinstating Georginio Rutter in the number ten role. Rutter's impressive creativity in the middle of the park last season, where he generated 22 'big chances' and provided 15 assists in 45 Championship appearances, suggests he is better equipped to unlock opposition defences and create scoring opportunities.
In stark contrast, Piroe only managed to create three 'big chances' and provide three assists in 41 appearances across both Leeds and Swansea last season.
These statistics, coupled with Piroe's dismal showing against Middlesbrough, point towards Rutter as the superior choice to orchestrate Leeds' attacking game from the number ten position.