Leeds United have slipped into second place in the Championship table after Daniel Farke’s side failed to hold on to a 2-1 lead over Swansea City in the final minutes on Saturday.
Illan Meslier once again takes the brunt of the criticism after producing another disastrous performance on a similar level to his mistakes against Sunderland and Hull. Two goals conceded out of nowhere.
That is even if Meslier saved a penalty from Josh Tymon in the first half. The Frenchman dropped the ball from a corner and allowed Harry Darling to score, cancelling out Brenden Aaronson’s first-minute goal.
Willy Gnonto scored late on from a corner, but on 96 minutes, Meslier was guilty of another howler as he allowed Zan Vipotnik’s speculative shot from a tight angle go through him. Grella discussed his old side.
Mike Grella thinks Leeds United fans will affect promotion race
Sheffield United are now two clear while Burnley and Leeds sit on level points. Speaking to US outlet CBS Sports, former Leeds striker Grella explained why Leeds and the club’s fans are their own worst enemy.
“They’re the best team in terms of all the metrics. Leeds fans are their own worst enemies. The club is it’s on worst enemy, because of the pressure it puts on itself. Expectations are wild,” Grella said about Leeds.
“It’s unbelievable what they’re expected to do. They have the resources, the players. They have all the tools to get it done. Some of the best fans in the world – they always say, this is a Premier League team.
“It’s one of the biggest clubs in England; history, infrastructure, fans. So there is this overwhelming weight everytime you put on that shirt- coming down that final stretch, you’ll feel that pressure,” Grella added.
Mike Grella’s Leeds spell in numbers after becoming US pundit
Grella joined Leeds as a complete unknown in 2008, managing just 43 appearances for The Whites over the course of a three-year spell while on the books at Elland Road. Indeed, he went out on loan as well.
His best moment for Leeds came in an FA Cup replay against Kettering Town, when the attacker scored a brace. But he managed just five goals in 43 games, while going on loan to Carlisle United and Swindon.
Grella went on to play for Brentford, Bury and Scunthorpe United before returning to the United States and becoming a bit of an icon with the New York Red Bulls. Now, he works as a pundit for CBS Sports.
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