Leeds Exclusive: Daniel Farke at breaking point, ‘enough is enough’
Leeds United are in danger of haunting their supporters with the deja vu of last year, as the threat looms of slipping out of the automatic promotion places.
Daniel Farke‘s side have been in the driving seat for a considerable period but have now been knocked off their Championship perch by Sheffield United, as the Blades and Burnley won with Leeds now rueing a record of just one win in their last five.
Having lost four of their final six last season – forcing Farke’s men to look to achieve promotion the hard way – the outcome of 2024-25 is enough to scare all associated with the Whites into oblivion. The top two is non-negotiable.
Farke must say ‘enough is enough’ with Leeds man
Farke knows the pressure on his shoulders to deliver this season. This is the last of his two attempts since taking over in 2023.
He has not been helped in certain situations this season by individual errors from players, and one man to have been a repeat offender is the much-maligned Illan Meslier.
The goalkeeper went from hero to villain against Swansea City on Saturday (29 March), saving a penalty in the first half only to make two vital mistakes after the break for the visitors’ goals.
High-profile late errors against Sunderland and Hull City have also turned wins into draws this season, without which Leeds would be top of the pile with breathing space.
TV commentator Ian Darke, speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, has lost his patience with Meslier and urged Farke to call it a day with the Frenchman, filling the void with second-choice Karl Darlow.
“I would say now enough is enough. Daniel Farke has to make a decision, that’s what he’s paid for. He’s been to blame for several high-profile errors,” Darke lamented.
“He wasn’t just at fault for the first goal against Swansea, he was at fault for both of them in my view. [Zan Vipotnik] hit it well, but it went through him. He’s got to stop that.
“The matter of fact is that Leeds have a very good deputy in Karl Darlow, who has plenty of experience in the Championship and Premier League. I think now has to be the point where Farke makes the change, to be honest with you. He has to bite the bullet – it might just pay off in the long run for Meslier.”
Elland Road awaits final games through gritted teeth
The reason Meslier has not been dropped months ago is down to the previous standard of performances he put in earlier in his Leeds United career.
That’s what makes this season all the more frustrating regarding the 25-year-old, who is in the firing line to be dropped for this weekend’s trip to relegation battlers Luton Town (5 April).
An eye-opening statistic is that for all his experience, Darlow – nine years Meslier’s senior – has played 14 fewer club career matches than the first-choice Peacocks stopper.
| Leeds United: Meslier v Darlow | Meslier | Darlow |
| Age | 25 | 34 |
| Club appearances | 262 | 248 |
| Appearances for Leeds | 205 | 7 |
The first place Leeds fans look on their teamsheet on Saturday will be who starts between the sticks, with another winning run absolutely vital in the last seven games.
Farke’s troops next take to the Elland Road pitch on 12 April against Preston North End, after Luton and a midweek clash at Middlesbrough (8 April).