Daniel Farke and Sam Allardyce only have a few things in common. They have both stood in the same dugout as Leeds United manager and now, they have the same problem.
Two different types of managers, one that has not been in work since the four-game spell he was handed as Leeds manager and the other, a possession-based manager interested in the long-term Leeds future.
Now, Farke is facing the same problem that Allardyce inherited when joining Leeds. What to do with Illan Meslier, after the Frenchman made two woeful mistakes against Swansea on Saturday, at the wrong time.
In the midst of the red-hot heat of the Championship promotion battle, twice Leeds looked like they were on their way to three points against Swansea and twice, Meslier foiled his own side with two howlers.
What Sam Allardyce said when he chose to drop Illan Meslier
Meslier was conceding goals far too regularly for Allardyce’s liking when he took over from Javi Gracia. Four to Bournemouth, five to Crystal Palace, six to Liverpool. Allardyce brought Joel Robles in to start.
The Spaniard remained in goal for Allardyce’s four games, conceding a total of 11 goals. Speaking to the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast after he left Leeds, Allardyce explained his decision to axe Meslier.
“The fact of the matter is, he just made too many mistakes. The previous coach continued to allow those mistakes, so his confidence diminished even farther. It was a huge decision for me, but it had to be made.
“I couldn’t allow myself to let him into the team and keep making mistakes – I would blame myself, not him. We took him out. Told him one on one, he was very miserable and angry but you expect that.
“Very upset, sulky for a couple of days and Joel went in and did well. Couldn’t knock his performances. You’ve got to make those decisions, but he’s [Illan] a quality, quality goalkeeper,” Allardyce said in 2023.
Contrasting opinions emerge on whether to drop Illan Meslier
Leeds fans are angry, and they want blood. Not only is Meslier conceding lots of goals like he was when Allardyce took over, he’s making catastrophic mistakes – Sunderland, Hull, Preston and now Swansea.
He’s costing Leeds points at a time when Leeds simply cannot afford to wave goodbye to points, like they did against Swansea. Aidy White says Meslier has got to be dropped when Leeds go to Luton, next out.
However, Ross McCormack questioned the quality of his back-up in Karl Darlow. Whatever decision Farke is to make and given the past, it is likely he sticks with Meslier, there cannot be any more disasters.
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