Good Morning. It's Wednesday 28th February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Au revoir Meslier? Should Leeds find themselves back in the top flight next season, do they need a new first choice shot stopper? Illan Meslier continually comes under the microscope, receiving widespread criticism, whether it be for his distribution, gathering crosses or the occasional faux pas. At 23, he is still considered an infant in terms of keepers. They don't reach their peak until their late twenties / early thirties, and as such the Frenchman bucked the trend during Leeds' recent stopover to the top flight. Further down the ranks, the competition for places (between the sticks) is poor. Karl Darlow has proved as useful as a chocolate teapot, whilst Kristoffer Klaesson (the same age as Meslier) looks nothing special! Since relinquishing the No1 jersey from Kiko Casilla after his tete-a-tete with Jonathan Leko, nobody has provided stiff opposition to Meslier, meaning, even if he is playing badly, his place is not at risk. Is Meslier good enough for the top flight? It has been rumoured that the Whites will spend £100m this Summer if they go up. Will some of that be reserved for a new keeper? please log in to view this image ER faithful heard from almost 3 miles away Over the years, Leeds fans have more than played their part in helping the Whites lift their game, whether it be at a packed out Elland Road, or a midweek jaunt to Plymouth in gale force winds and pouring rain. Leeds are one of only three teams in the entire football league to remain undefeated at home all season - and the ER faithful can certainly take some credit for that! During the recent top of the table clash against Leicester City, Leeds fans could be heard quite vividly 2.4m away on the edge of Middleton Park, where an 18yo maths student was on his way back home to pick up his ID. Clear as day, delirious Leeds fans could clearly be heard, captured by Maciek Goldyn on his mobile phone as he hung outside his bedroom window. According to Phil Hay: "Over on the edge of Middleton Park, south of Leeds towards the M62 motorway, Maciek Goldyn, an 18-year-old mathematics student, was rushing home. He was on a night out for a friend’s birthday but had forgotten his ID and nipped back to get it. "When he reached his front door, he heard the noise go up at Elland Road at the end of Leeds United’s 3-1 win over Leicester City, the raw elation of a frenetic evening audible from a long distance. Goldyn hung out of his bedroom window and took a video on his mobile, which rapidly went viral on Twitter." please log in to view this image
On Mes, I’m undecided. I think he gets lots of flack, some undeserved. Think he’s let in a fair few stinkers, over his time as No 1. None possibly worse than the Everton goal last year, scored by Coleman. He also scares the hell out of me on dealing with crosses. I hate keepers that don’t go to catch the ball, as their automatic choice, ok there will be times when he has to punch. Saying all of that, he’s a decent shot stopper, his distribution imo has improved greatly this year, and he’s very young. I don’t want to see him leave, think he’ll improve as he gets more and more experience. Fact is goalkeepers make mistakes, all of them. Think Bazuna at Southampton at the weekend, for Millwall’s first goal.
Morning all, Meslier is a very good keeper and still young with time to get even better. It is no coincidence that his drops in form have been when he has had terrible defences in front of him while being managed by absolute clowns. He is looking good again because we have a good manager and a defence that is well organised and doing what they are supposed to do. He has then looked good when called upon. His saves the other night were just as important as goals the other end.
100m is likely 3 players. Doubt that would bridge the gap promotion would create and certainly not if a goalkeeper would be one of the three
Think we need to stick with Mes, as you say keepers don’t come into their prime till their late 20s / early 30’s so if we sell him we do the one thing people complain about and that’s develop him for somebody else to reap the benefits. We’ve kept him this long we might as well keep him when he’s at his best.
