Leeds United sit third in the Championship table after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers, as the Whites bounced back from Wednesday night’s defeat at Millwall.
Leeds closed the gap on leaders Sunderland to just two points, though Sheffield United’s win in the Steel City derby on Sunday has pushed Leeds back to third with the Blades level on points with Sunderland.
Goals from Jayden Bogle and Joel Piroe was enough for Leeds to secure an eighth win of the campaign, as Daniel Farke continues to push Leeds towards promotion at the second attempt and a career third.
There are many in form in this Leeds side, Piroe and Bogle to name two. Joe Rothwell, Ao Tanaka, Pascal Struijk, Joe Rodon and Wilfried Gnonto are also impressing – and the stats suggest Illan Meslier is too.
Paul Robinson discusses whether Leeds should drop Illan Meslier
The 24-year-old goalkeeper has started all 15 Championship games for Leeds this season, after Farke made him a vice-captain behind Ethan Ampadu and Pascal Struijk during pre-season. He is a key player.
One of the first names on the team sheet. He’s not been dropped since the last four games of the 2022-23 campaign under Sam Allardyce, but there have been calls to remove from him the XI so far this term.
Especially, after his mistake against Sunderland which cost Leeds two points. But former Leeds stopper Paul Robinson has taken to X to defend the £5m man, saying he’s responded well since the mistake.
Elland Road icon Robinson posted on X: “Illan Meslier’s responded well since that Sunderland mistake, I can’t see him benefiting from being dropped or rested.”
Meslier is in the running to retain Championship golden glove
Last season, Meslier and West Brom’s Alex Palmer won joint-first Championship golden gloves last term after both achieved 18 clean sheets before the play-offs. Already, Meslier has achieved half of that 18.
| Name | Club | Games played | Clean sheets | Goals conceded |
| Michael Cooper | Sheffield United | 13 | 9 | 5 |
| Illan Meslier | Leeds United | 15 | 9 | 9 |
| Alex Palmer | West Brom | 15 | 8 | 10 |
| James Trafford | Burnley | 14 | 8 | 6 |
Leeds fans will continue to bemoan Meslier’s mistake and if the club miss out on automatic promotion to the Premier League by two points, then fans will reflect on how Meslier threw away a place in the top two.
But, Meslier is a superb goalkeeper, he is still only 24 and clearly, Farke is not going to drop him any time soon. What Meslier needs is for Leeds fans to get behind him and Robinson clearly backs the Frenchman.
Leave a Reply