The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tuesday 1st April) Farke set to stick with Meslier
Good Morning. It's Tuesday 1st April, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Farke set to stick with Meslier
A snapshot doing the rounds on social media captured the raw emotions of Meslier's teammates perfectly following his dropped catch which led to Swansea's first equalizer. Joe Rothwell's disbelief, Sam Byram's despair, and Joe Rodon's exasperated gaze painted a picture of a team struggling for both form and unity.
While Meslier shoulders blame for the late draw, calls for his immediate replacement are risky. Rotating goalkeepers, especially during the crucial final stretch of the season, is a gamble with potentially dire consequences. Sam Allardyce's attempt to do so during Leeds' Premier League relegation battle proved ineffective, highlighting the inherent instability such changes can bring.
Is Karl Darlow, at 34, a better alternative? While he might be less prone to spectacular errors, he also might not possess the same shot-stopping ability as Meslier. It's easy to forget, in the heat of the moment, the points Meslier has single-handedly won for Leeds throughout the season. It's simply too late in the season to start introducing new faces; and that goes for the likes of Debayo and Chambers!
Introducing a new shot-stopper forces the defense to adjust to unfamiliar traits, a disruptive change given Darlow's limited playing time. Consistency is key, and Meslier has demonstrated resilience throughout the season, bouncing back from errors with strong performances.
While the criticism Meslier faces is justified, Farke appears likely to stick with what he knows and trusts. The upcoming summer will undoubtedly bring a new shot-stopper (and Manager) to Elland Road, but, for now Leeds fate rests in part, on Meslier's shoulders and Farke's unwavering support.
Could Joseph's fresh legs make a difference
Joel Piroe arrived at Leeds United with a reputation for goals, and for much of the season, he has lived up to it. With a respectable 15 goals and 6 assists to his name, the Dutch forward has been a key figure in Daniel Farke's attacking setup. However, recent form has cast a shadow over his starting position, raising the question: is it time for Piroe to take a seat on the bench, and spend some time as an impact sub?
The stark fact is that Piroe has only managed to find the net once in his last seven appearances for Leeds. While his overall season tally remains impressive, this current drought is concerning, particularly for a player expected to be a consistent source of goals. What's more, Piroe has been a constant fixture in Farke's starting XI throughout this period, playing full 90 minutes in each of those seven games.
The dip in Piroe’s output coincides with a crucial stage of the season, where every point is vital for Leeds United’s promotion ambitions. A striker misfiring at this juncture naturally attracts attention and scrutiny. This leads to the inevitable consideration of alternatives, and in this case, Matteo Joseph and veteran forward Patrick Bamford, who is nearing a return to full fitness.
Joseph, a younger and less experienced option, has pace, energy, and a willingness to run the channels, offering a different dynamic upfront. Could a start for Joseph inject fresh impetus into the Leeds attack? Resting Piroe might not only give Joseph a valuable opportunity to impress but also allow him to recharge his batteries, both physically and mentally, and perhaps rediscover his scoring touch from the bench with thirty minutes spare to go.
Of course, dropping a player with Piroe’s goalscoring record is a significant decision but Leeds need fresh legs, and Piroe could do with a much-needed breather. The Whites have netted 78 times already his season, 19 more than nearest rivals Boro so have plenty of goal-scoring options from within their squad.