Illan Meslier will have known as soon as he made his mistakes against Hull City that the backlash from Leeds United fans was going to be heavy. The Frenchman is no stranger to criticism from supporters.
Even this season, Meslier has struggled to keep the mistakes at bay. There was his howler in injury time at Sunderland, costing Leeds a 2-1 win an then his inability to keep a tame shot out against Preston away.
Had he stopped both goals, Leeds would have four more points than the 53-point tally they boast right now. Similarly on Saturday, Meslier’s mistakes cost Leeds another two having led 3-1 in the 80th minute.
The Frenchman’s display appears to have been a lightning rod for potential change. Leeds are now open to selling Meslier, with Daniel Farke said to have changed his mind on Meslier and is keen to replace him.
Sam Byram leaps to defence of goalkeeper Illan Meslier
The frustration was evident on the faces of Joe Rodon, Joel Piroe and Joe Rothwell when Meslier dropped the ball at Hull, for Joao Pedro’s tap in. A show of frustration, one of almost being fed up with Meslier.
But Sam Byram has been speaking to BBC Radio Leeds this week and he says that the Leeds squad have been getting around Meslier in order to pick him up, in an attempt to boost the goalkeeper’s morale.
“All you can do is support your teammates. At the moment, it is such a high-pressure environment. Every player will make mistakes, as a goalkeeper if anything you do leads to a goal, it’s under a microscope.
“If you’re a striker and you miss, or you’re a full-back and your man beats you, it doesn’t lead to a goal and it doesn’t come under as much scrutiny,” Byram continued, when asked about Meslier by Adam Pope.
“As a team, we back each other. Everyone is doing their best, giving 110% every game. If someone is having a tough time, we put our arm round them and that’s what we do here,” the Leeds defender said.
Daniel Farke’s perfect chance to take Meslier out of firing line
This weekend, the Championship merry-go-round takes a break. With 20 league games left to play in the race for promotion, the Leeds squad can take a breather as focus turns to the third round of The FA Cup.
Leeds host local side Harrogate and the chances are, Karl Darlow was always going to start for Leeds in goal. But, it might give Farke the perfect chance to hand the Wales star the starting spot moving forward.
Indeed, if Darlow keeps a clean sheet and the game goes by without incident for the former Nottingham Forest man, then surely he will be given the chance to retain his place against Sheffield Wednesday.
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