Daniel Farke will be forced to replace Illan Meslier over the course of the next three matches after the Leeds United goalkeeper was sent off at Preston – with Karl Darlow set to replace Meslier.
Meslier, 23, was sent off after becoming embroiled in a tangle of his own making. Initially confronting Preston’s Ben Whiteman after catching a cross, before pushing Milutin Osmajic in the face. Red card.
The Frenchman was on course to win a second successive clean sheet, but now faces three matches on the sidelines. It will see him absent for games against West Brom, Birmingham and then Peterborough.
Farke spoke in his post-match press conference – as per Leeds Live – about summer signing Darlow, who has only featured for us twice before Preston, in Carabao Cup games vs Chesterfield and Salford.
The German gaffer spoke highly of Darlow, stating he is a “brilliant lad” but warning the Leeds team that they will have to adapt how we play with Meslier sent off – a red card that even Ryan Lowe said was soft.
“It is important, just because of Karl, we do not change the whole approach. Defenders have to know his strong foot is the right and not his left. Pragmatic style. Be ready for longer balls, adapt our behaviour.
“But Karl knows how we want to play. He deserves a chance and a brilliant lad with top mentality,” Farke said in his press conference, following the 2-1 defeat to Ryan Lowe’s Preston North End on Boxing Day.
Daniel Farke praises ‘brilliant’ Leeds United stopper Karl Darlow
Leeds will have to adapt their approach. With Meslier, it is like playing with another defender at the back, almost becoming a three-man defence and allowing the full-backs to push higher. Darlow is limited.
Still solid with the ball at his feet but not to the standard that Meslier provides. Certainly, when Meslier is back from his suspension, it is more than likely that he comes straight back into the Leeds starting XI.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
