Two years ago, Sam Allardyce was faced with the same dilemma. Keep faith with a struggling Illan Meslier, or bring in Leeds United’s back-up goalkeeper – with Allardyce opting for Joel Robles.
The situations are different, with Allardyce only in charge at Elland Road for four games and had that managerial license to upset players knowing he probably would not be in the job at the end of the year.
Joel Robles came in and while Leeds failed to stay up, it was probably the right decision given Meslier had conceded four goals at Bournemouth, five against Crystal Palace and six at Anfield in defeat to Liverpool.
Now, Leeds are faced with the same issue, in a different scenario. Leeds are pushing for promotion, but Meslier is costing Leeds crucial points – Hull, Swansea and Sunderland all resulting in draws thanks to him.
Sam Allardyce has advice for Daniel Farke regarding Illan Meslier
Farke has defended Meslier before after the 3-3 draw with Hull and kept him in net. But, following his latest mistakes against Swansea, Aidy White thinks it is inexcusable for Meslier to retain his no.1 spot.
Allardyce has told the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast that Farke should drop Meslier, and he needs to do so to avoid a “crisis”. Allardyce says the more Meslier is jumped on, the more his confidence worsens.
“It needs to be done, it’s a hard decision as well choosing goalkeepers. A decision you have to make and you hope you’ve made the right one, but it wasn’t a difficult decision based on Meslier’s errors,” he said.
“He’s got a long hard journey coming back to be what everybody knows he is now, we see the same with outfield players. Once they jump on him, his confidence can be destroyed, especially as a goalkeeper.”
Sam Allardyce shares concern for Leeds United’s Karl Darlow
While Allardyce thinks Meslier should be dropped and Karl Darlow should come in, Allardyce has outlined his issues with starting a goalkeeper that has not played in a while. Darlow has warmed the Leeds bench.
He said: “What you worry about with other keepers sat on the bench for so long, is that they can’t be as good as they are. It doesn’t matter how much training they do,” Allardyce continued on the situation.
Luckily, Darlow has been playing for Wales alongside Joe Rodon. Welsh media were impressed with the Leeds star during the most-recent break, but he has not played for Leeds since February in the FA Cup.
Allardyce previously explained how Meslier kicked and moaned when he dropped him but perhaps, it is a decision that Farke will have to make come Saturday away at Luton – if Leeds are to be promoted.
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