Jermaine Beckford has told LUTV’s match preview broadcasted on the club’s YouTube channel on Wednesday that Leeds United signing Karl Darlow has a “point to prove” at Elland Road – as he made his debut against Shrewsbury.
Darlow, 32, replaced Illan Meslier between the sticks as Leeds stumbled past League One side Shrewsbury. Indeed, Leeds went behind – with a deflected effort leaving Darlow with little he could do to stop the ball flying past him.
But Leeds got back into the game, boasting 81% possession in the second half and £400,000 signing Darlow pretty much a bystander. Joe Gelhardt shovelled Ian Poveda’s saved shot into the net, before Pascal Struijk made it 2-1.
Despite the calamity of the last few days – Cree Summerville’s equaliser, his subsequent injury and Liam Cooper out for eight weeks, Max Aarons joining and then a move being hijacked – Leeds have did what was needed on the pitch.
Speaking ahead of last night’s Carabao Cup first-round clash, Beckford had his say on Darlow: “Absolutely [he’s got a point to prove]. He’s a very good goalkeeper, played and promoted with Newcastle – he knows what it takes.
“He’s had some misfortune over the last couple of years, these things happen. I liked having players come in in my position, it made me work harder. Meslier may even keep the no.1 jersey but step his game up because of Darlow.”
Beckford says Darlow has a point to prove after making Leeds debut
Beckford is right, Darlow is at this stage in his career – after playing just 100 times for Newcastle in nine years – he needs to show that he can be a first-choice goalkeeper at the top level. Right now, he finds himself behind Meslier.
You would imagine that if a decent offer comes in for the French stopper, he will be off. Darlow will not have been brought in to be his back-up goalkeeper – the idea being he replaces Meslier when the latter goes. Time will tell.
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