Rob Davies
Perhaps the only negative from the Swans’ rise up the Championship table has been Joel Piroe’s struggles in front of goal, netting only four all season.
Not bad generally by striker standards in this division but for a player who netted 24 in his first season in English football it’s a drop off both in terms of goals and performances; his most recent against Sunderland probably the most disappointing.
His usual confident first touch and clinical shooting was nowhere to be seen and many fans were calling for his substitution long before Armstrong Oko-Flex replaced him late on in the second half.
Indeed he has still managed 28 goals and 6 assists in 63 games for the club which is an average better than a goal/assist in every other game but this season there has been a clear dip in his performances.
Whether that is due to tiredness after a heavy season in the Championship last season, disillusionment at precious little interest from a higher division in the summer or just a loss of form is anyone’s guess.
But it will of no doubt be a concern to Russell Martin who may soon have a difficult decision on his hands as to whether to persist with Piroe or bring in Michael Obafemi to start up front.
Piroe for the majority of last season operated just behind Obafemi in a right sided number 10 role but with competition so fierce in those positions there’s no saying he would easily walk into one of those positions.
Perhaps we discount the absence of Jamie Paterson as a huge factor in Piroe’s recent struggles – the pair struck up a great partnership especially in the first half of last season.
But the question now for the Swans boss is whether he is to persist with the Dutchman for the tough trip to Burnley or give him a rest and unleash him from the bench?
What do you think?
Totally agree needs to be dropped to give his head a wobble,so clinical last season puts a good shift in but seems to be a minute late and a dollar short
Why alter a winning formula though? it’s not as if he hasn’t had chances, just the finishing isn’t as clinical as we’d and he’d like. I’d only drop a player if there was loss in form. I don’t see that at all in Piroe. He keeps a high standard and always has done. This is nit-picking. A winning side should remain the same as much as possible and and only altered by rotation, which is obviously required because of the amount of games. I’d rest him only if fatigue was an issue.
How can we judge players we have nevar seen play like 2 of our premier league loan stars this season?
Obviously they will have ben assessed in training, but giving them their chance might have a positive effect on the other players.