Stick or twist? How do Leeds solve Meslier muddle?
The boos rang out around Elland Road at full-time on Saturday as Swansea celebrated their late point at Leeds United.
Whites goalkeeper Illan Meslier cut a disconsolate figure as he sought to collect his thoughts after another rollercoaster 90 minutes.
The much-criticised Frenchman had saved Josh Tymon’s penalty in the first half to preserve Leeds’ 1-0 advantage at the break but few in the ground were thinking of that come full-time.
Instead it was how costly his latest error, dropping a corner under no pressure to allow Harry Darling to make it 1-1, could prove to be for their Premier League promotion hopes and whether the time has come for boss Daniel Farke to make a change in goal for the final seven league matches.
Here is a look at the 25-year-old’s season to date, what those close to the team think and who could take his place.
One mistake too many?
Meslier initially joined Leeds on loan from Lorient in his home country in 2019, aged 19.
Since getting his chance in February the following year he has spent the past five years as their first-choice goalkeeper.
He was a big part of Marcelo Bielsa’s side who finished a highly creditable ninth in the Premier League in 2020-21 after making a permanent move to West Yorkshire after helping them to promotion in July 2020.
Of Bielsa’s successors only Sam Allardyce did not pick him during his brief and unsuccessful spell, as Leeds were relegated back to the Championship.
Saturday’s game against the Swans marked his 200th league appearance for the club.
However, despite the penalty save, it proved to be a day to forget rather than celebrate in a season where high-profile mistakes have haunted him.
First, he inexplicably misread the bounce of the ball to let in a last-minute equaliser at Sunderland in October and then in January he was at fault as Hull City came back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3.
That led many fans to suggest it was time for a change but, with the team well-placed, boss Farke stood by his man, saying it would be “crazy” to change his keeper.
Meslier responded to that backing by keeping six successive clean sheets and, although he conceded an unfortunate own goal in the 3-1 win at promotion rivals Sheffield United in February, it looked like his mistakes would just be a footnote to a successful season.
Leeds were five points clear at the top at the start of March, and seven ahead of Burnley in third.
Every Championship side that has been in that position after 34 games has gone on to win automatic promotion.
However, one win from five games last month has allowed the Blades to go top and Meslier’s latest faux pas has seen what patience remained seemingly run out.
