Farke
(Credit:Imago)
Carla Devine
Wed 2 April 2025 12:10, UK
Leeds United have dropped down the Championship table into second place after dropping two points against Swansea City.
The Whites looked well on their way to securing automatic promotion to the Premier League, but a recent dip in form means they have an uphill battle ahead of them to the end of the season.
Ilian Meslier was at fault again on Saturday (29 March) undoing his impressive work of saving a penalty by making two blunders which cost his side goals, and therefore, points.
Meslier has cost Leeds again. (Credit: Imago)
Sam Parkin makes Leeds United admission
Although Daniel Farke put together a strong squad this season, Meslier is the weak link and has found his name hitting the headlines too many times this term for the wrong reasons.
Against Swansea, Meslier dropped the ball for Harry Darling to score in the 64th minute, before a big mistake allowed Zan Vipotnik’s equaliser to go through him.
Stats Meslier v Swansea
Saves 4
Errors leading to goal 1
Goals conceded 2
Meslier’s stats v Swansea (Credit: Fotmob)
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With the business end of the season now upon us, there have been plenty of calls from both supporters and pundits for Meslier to be dropped from the starting line-up.
There are concerns that keeping the goalkeeper in the team could cost the Whites their chance of promotion to the top flight, meaning all eyes are on Farke.
With Karl Darlow sitting on the bench as the substitute at Elland Road, many are calling for someone with heaps of experience to get his chance instead.
Speaking on The Championship Check-in Podcast (1 April), Sam Parkin said: “If they had Michael Cooper or James Trafford, they’d probably be there now or almost there. It’s problematic for them, Farke has been incredibly loyal.
“Does it put a huge amount of pressure on Darlow if he is to be thrown in? I’m not sure it does. I think he’s got a hell of a lot to gain. I’m sure he will be confident he can do better than Meslier. It’s fascinating.”
Farke can’t risk Leeds’ success by being loyal
It’s fair enough that Farke has decided not to publicly call Meslier out this season because, under no circumstances, do you wish to see someone get an undue amount of abuse for his mistakes.
However, making a change between the sticks is something that happens in football, and if the performances are not up to the right standards, it’s a decision that has to be made.
Darlow will surely be sitting on the sidelines wondering what the purpose of his role is, given that he has provided the competition that his teammate isn’t rising to, but things aren’t changing.
Parkin’s analysis is brutal, suggesting that Meslier has cost the West Yorkshire outfit promotion, and it certainly cannot become an excuse for other players who have fallen short when it matters.
However, you can understand the point that a stronger goalkeeper surely wouldn’t have made so many costly errors, which have had an impact when it comes to points, as well as league position.
The boss can’t underestimate how crucial promotion is this season and, with that in mind, he has to make decisions with Leeds’ best interests in mind rather than continuing to protect anyone.
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