“Thank God he repayed my trust with a goal and a really good performance”- Daniel Farke heaps praises on Leeds star after Ipswich win as he gives update on Sam Byram’s injury
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has heaped praises on Leeds new boy Joel Piroe even as he claims he had no hesitation in throwing Willy Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra back into the fray after a 4-3 win at Ipswich Town.
Joel Piroe only completed his transfer for Leeds on Friday but was thrown right at the start against Ipswich.
Gnonto and Sinisterra also partook in the encounter after missing the last few games. The pair returned to training last week after being removed from the first team dressing room due to their individual circumstances. Both were in the starting line-up at Portman Road and both played big parts in the win.
The Whites fell behind to a Joe Rodon own goal but Farke’s front four soon imposed themselves, building up a 3-1 lead before the 20-minute mark. Rutter, Gnonto and debutant Joel Piroe all found the net as the visitors assumed control of the scoreline if not the game itself.
Ipswich plugged away and got their reward in first half stoppage time, capitalising on a Cody Drameh error to narrow Leeds’ advantage.
Sinisterra joined his fellow attackers on the scoresheet in the second half and the game appeared to be won, although the home side hit back again seven minutes into time added on through Conor Chaplin’s strike to make it a nervy finish. Farke was delighted, but not carried away, with his first league win as Leeds boss.
“There’s no replacement of the winning feeling, for the mood, the rhythm,” he said.
“I’m careful because the next corner waits. I was never too down when we had difficult situations, it’s not like I want to dance on the table tonight. I’m happy for the guys, the club and supporters to travel back with four away goals and a crucial win but you always have to stay awake and not get too comfortable.
“It can allow us to be happy. They suffered difficult moments in the Premier League last season, they had to wait a pretty long time for the first league win. They should enjoy this but the league is relentless. From tomorrow we work again.”
The decision to restore Sinisterra and Gnonto to the team did not appear to give Farke any sleepless nights. He was more concerned about handing Piroe a start given his late arrival from Swansea City this week.
“I wasn’t too concerned about these two decisions [on Gnonto and Sinisterra],” said Farke.
“They were focused and disciplined in training. It was a bit more tricky with Joel, he just had one training session with us yesterday. He looked really good, he knows the league inside out, he has already started three competitive games. Obviously he can’t know each and every movement of his team mates but I had a good feeling. Thank God he repaid my trust with a goal and a really good performance, three points most importantly.”
The loss to a groin injury of Sam Byram in the first half was a concern for Farke, however. The full-back is now likely to miss out when Leeds face Salford City on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup.
“Probably Sam Byram will be out on Tuesday with an adductor strain, hopefully it’s not too bad,” said the manager.“We will see. It’s good we have two days of training. For Cree [Summerville] he was just an option today in an emergency case.
It was his first time back in team training yesterday. If we needed him in the last few seconds for a moment of his magic, it’s good to have him on the bench. Thank God I didn’t need him. He could be a topic for the Tuesday game.”
