Luton Town boss reacts to Illan Meslier’s Leeds United axe and makes interesting prediction

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Luton Town boss Matt Bloomfield takes some good form into his side’s home game against Leeds United on Saturday.

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke can’t say the same, though. His side drew 2-2 with Swansea City over the weekend to cede top Championship’s top spot to Sheffield United who immediately opened up a two point lead, whilst Burnley in 3rd draw level on points with Leeds.

For Leeds, it’s now just one win in their last six in the Championship. Meanwhile for relegation-threatened Luton Town, their 1-0 win at Hull City last time out means they’ve now won three of their last five in the league.

A big talking point ahead of the game at Kenilworth Road on Saturday is Illan Meslier. Farke has finally axed Meslier and he’ll instead play Karl Darlow in goal for the game at Luton, with Meslier’s mistakes against Swansea City proving the final straw for the Leeds boss.

Inevitably, the decision has sparked a lot of debate, largely positive though with Leeds fans wanting Meslier to be dropped for a long time now.

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Luton Town boss Matt Bloomfield speculated Illan Meslier would be dropped

Speaking to the press on Friday, Luton Town boss Matt Bloomfield was of course asked about Farke’s decision to drop Meslier ahead of the game on Saturday. And Bloomfield arguably gave a surprising answer, suggesting that he and his players expected Farke to make the decision after the game against Swansea City.

Bloomfield also backed Farke for making the decision early, predicting that it gives the Leeds United players ‘clear heads’ going into the game, not having to wonder whether or not Meslier will be in goal for the game.

The Hatters boss told BBC Three Counties: “It probably stops him being asked about it all week! So I can understand absolutely why he’s done it. Obviously we had the speculation this end what would happen and we now know the answer. But also for his boys it’s given them clear heads to go and do the same. It doesn’t really change anything for us.”

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Karl Darlow’s record in the Championship ahead of Leeds United return

The 34-year-old Darlow hasn’t played for Leeds United in the Championship this season. He’s played twice in the FA Cup and once in the League Cup, having played more football for Wales than he has for Leeds this season.

And although Leeds fans have seen very little of Darlow since his 2023 arrival at Elland Road, fans are sure that he’ll be an upgrade on Meslier with Darlow boasting bags of experience, and at the top level of the English game too.

But it’s the Championship where Darlow has played most of his football. He’s made 154 appearances in the second tier, conceding 193 goals and keeping 48 clean sheets, even earning promotion from the Championship as Newcastle United’s no.1 back in 2017.

Kick off is at 12:30pm on Saturday.