“I suspect” – Simon Jordan tips Leeds United summer transfer plot after what he saw last night.
Leeds United moved five clear of second place with a 3-1 victory against Sheffield United, coming from behind late in the second half after an Illan Meslier shocker.
Daniel Farke was forced to watch on from the Bramall Lane gantry last night due to a touchline ban, but he will have no doubt been delighted with how his coaching staff and squad executed their comeback.
The Blades started like a house on fire in the opening quarter of the game, taking the lead through another Illan Meslier calamity, but the away side rallied and came from behind to move five clear.
Can Leeds get promoted and keep Illan Meslier?
(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Leeds were set back early in the game when Meslier was put under huge pressure and buckled significantly, dropping two crosses before his fine save was followed up by spilling the ball into his own goal.
It’s the latest in a worryingly long list of mistakes this season for the Leeds stopper, to which talkSPORT host Jim White asked Simon Jordan (25/2, 10:11am) about the prospect of Farke going into the Premier League with Meslier as his first choice, and if they can go forward with the Frenchman between the sticks.
“The credit and debit thing with a goalkeeper must have a balance,” Jordan said, “he’s been in that club for a number of years and ultimately he gets to be kept on being played, so I don’t know how many mistakes he makes, goalkeepers make mistakes.
“Of course he’s now got this David James, once upon a time was called ‘Calamity James’ and forever and a day he tried to shake that moniker.
“Goalkeepers are a fundamental part, you’ve seen Ipswich go up with their goalkeeper and having to change it because he’s been challenged as a result of mistakes, you’re seeing top goalkeepers regularly make mistakes, we saw David de Gea at Man United, spent a long time trying to bed in.
“I think it’s an unfair analysis, because obviously Leeds are comfortable with him to a certain extent, but every position I suspect will be discussed about how they are going to strengthen, and the goalkeeping position is a fundamental part of a promoted side, because he gets to be a bit busier than other people.”
