Given the possibility of missing out on automatic promotion spots, Leeds United could end up torturing their fans with the deja vu of the previous season.
Daniel Farke’s team had been leading the league for a while, but Sheffield United has suddenly knocked them off their perch in the Championship. Leeds now laments having only won once in their last five games.
Farke’s team had to look for promotion the hard way after losing four of their past six games, and the results of 2024–25 will be enough to drive everyone connected to the Whites to extinction. The top two cannot be negotiated.
Farke is aware of the pressure he is under to do well this season. Since assuming power in 2023, he has made two attempts, this being the final one.
Individual player mistakes haven’t always helped him this season, and the much-maligned Illan Meslier is one player who has often committed the same offense.
Against Swansea City on Saturday, March 29, the goalie went from hero to villain after saving a penalty in the first half and then making two crucial errors that allowed the visitors to score two goals after the half.
This season, high-profile late mistakes against Sunderland and Hull City have also caused victories to end in draws, which would have given Leeds breathing room to take the lead.
In an exclusive interview with MOT Leeds News, TV pundit Ian Darke expressed his frustration with Meslier and encouraged Farke to fire the Frenchman, replacing him with Karl Darlow, his backup.
Now is enough, in my opinion. Daniel Farke has been paid to make decisions, thus he must do so. Darke bemoaned the fact that he was responsible for a number of well-known mistakes.
In my opinion, he was responsible for both goals against Swansea, not just the first one. It went through him even though [Zan Vipotnik] hit it nicely. He must put an end to that.In actuality, Leeds has a very capable deputy in Karl Darlow, who has a wealth of Premier League and Championship experience. To be honest with you, I believe that Farke must make the move at this moment. He must take the risk; it might end up being advantageous for Meslier in the long term.
Meslier’s earlier performances at Leeds United were of a high enough caliber to keep him from being fired months ago.
That is what makes this season so frustrating for the 25-year-old, who could be benched for this weekend’s trip to relegation-threatened Luton Town (5 April).
A startling fact is that, despite his extensive experience, Darlow, who was Meslier’s senior for nine years, has appeared in 14 less club games than the Peacocks’ starting goalkeeper.
With another winning streak crucial in the last seven games, Leeds supporters will be looking to the starting goalie first on their teamsheet on Saturday.
Following Luton and a midweek match against Middlesbrough on April 8, Farke’s team will next play Preston North End at Elland Road on April 12.
