Jeff Stelling demands Leeds change live on air, Ally McCoist agrees
Illan Meslier took the headlines for the wrong reasons again as Leeds United drew 2-2 with Swansea City on Saturday.
The goalkeeper saved a penalty earlier in the draw and looked as though he could be the hero this time around, before it all fell apart.
However, Meslier then dropped the ball for Harry Darling to score in the 64th minute, before he somehow allowed Zan Vipotnik’s equaliser to go through him.
Meslier at fault for Leeds once more
Although Leeds have been a strong outfit this season, Meslier has often been the weak link, with too many mistakes costing his side.
Daniel Farke has continued to stand by his goalkeeper and defended his mistakes but with the most important weeks of the season ahead, there is no room for error.
Karl Darlow is the substitute goalkeeper at Elland Road and someone who has plenty of experience at this level and in the Premier League, but the boss seems reluctant to change things around.
Discussing the goalkeeper live on talkSPORT (31 March, 6:54 am), Ally McCoist admitted: “Yeah, I think the goalie’s a problem and he’s been a problem sadly for a while.”
Jeff Stelling went on to explain that Farke has a role to play too, as he said: “Well, Leeds fans are desperately frustrated, not just with Meslier but with Farke because he’s, as you would and rightly so, consistently backed his goalkeeper, but surely there comes a point.
“What is Karl Darlow’s thinking? I don’t know because he’s sitting on the bench, he’s made 52 Premier League appearances, 154 in the Championship and yet it seems that regardless of what Meslier does.
“Look, he’s been a good goalkeeper, you can’t really regard him as a young, inexperienced goalkeeper anymore because he’s been around a long time.
“His confidence is shot away. When a keeper’s confidence is shot away, I think you have to make a change.”
McCoist replied: “Don’t disagree.
Farke has to be brutal for Leeds’ success
You can understand why Farke has stood by his goalkeeper throughout the season so far, and you certainly wouldn’t expect to see him publicly call him out.
However, there comes a point where the manager surely has to question whether Meslier is up to the required standards to help the Whites achieve their goals.
It is the same player who has consistently disappointed his side this season, and if Leeds are going to achieve automatic promotion to the Premier League, then Farke can’t afford to be protecting anyone going forward.
Darlow is an experienced goalkeeper, and, as pointed out, when his competitor’s confidence is at an all-time low, it has to be the time to make a change.
If the West Yorkshire outfit find themselves in the top flight next season, no one will be blasting Farke for the decision to drop a goalkeeper, but if it affects them negatively the other way, there will undoubtedly be answers expected from the manager.
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