What Illan Meslier was spotted doing during Luton Town vs Leeds United says a lot about him

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Illan Meslier was finally relieved of his starting duties for Leeds United’s Championship clash against Luton Town.

After a season riddled with howlers and blunders, Daniel Farke made the decision that Leeds United fans have wanted for a long time, and dropped Illan Meslier.

During his pre-Luton Town press conference, Farke revealed that he was dropping Meslier as Leeds United’s no.1 and replacing him with Wales no.1 Karl Darlow, who put in a pretty good display at Kenilworth Road.

As Leeds United drew 1-1 with Luton Town in yet another disappointing result, and one that sees Leeds drop into 3rd place of the Championship table, Darlow made a number of impressive interventions and saves.

On Saturday lunchtime, Burnley came from behind to win at Coventry City; not only extending their incredible unbeaten run in the Championship to 27 games, but Scott Parker’s side also moved into 1st place of the table, and now two points ahead of Leeds.

Up next for the Wites is a trip to Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.

• READ MORE: Five things learned from Leeds United’s draw vs Luton Town, Illan Meslier finished and Ao Tanaka verdict

Illan Meslier not sulking despite Leeds United axe

For Meslier, after such a difficult season where he’s faced criticism not only from Leeds United fans, but even from former managers like Sam Allardyce who criticised Meslier’s performance against Swansea City, it would have been easy for the 25-year-old Frenchman to sit on the bench and sulk about not being the no.1 goalkeeper.

Instead, Meslier was on-looking like every other player, wanting Leeds United to get ahead in the game and keep their dreams of automatic promotion alive, although that dream is slowly fading away in typical Leeds United fashion.

Journalist Graham Smyth noticed during the second half that Meslier and the rest of the Leeds United bench were up on their feet during a spell of Leeds United pressure against Luton Town, which says that Meslier wasn’t getting overly-personal about his axe, instead wanting the team to prevail.

• READ MORE: Jermaine Beckford brutally slams ‘frustrating’ Leeds United star after Luton Town and he’s spot on

What the Luton Town boss said on Illan Meslier before Leeds United game

After that Swansea performance, many fans speculated that it might prove the final straw for Farke where Meslier was confirmed.

It was, of course, and Leeds United fans were right to speculate. And Luton Town boss Matt Bloomfield also thought Meslier would be axed for the game at Kenilworth Road, telling the press ahead of the weekend: “I can understand absolutely why he’s done it [why Farke said before the game Meslier wouldn’t be playing].

“Obviously we had the speculation this end what would happen and we now know the answer.”

And with Darlow looking assured in the game, don’t expect Meslier be in contention to return to the no.1 spot any time soon. He might even have played his last game for Leeds United with Leeds unlikely to continue with him in either the Championship nor the Premier League.

Leeds United’s game against Middlesbrough kicks off at 8pm on Tuesday.