Illan Meslier terrible again, Dan James superb – Leeds player ratings v Preston
Leeds United lost further ground in the Championship title race as they had to rely on a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with Preston North End.
The Whites threw away a golden opportunity to pile further pressure on Sheffield United at Deepdale on Saturday [14 December] as Brad Potts’ 23rd-minute goal put the hosts ahead.
Illan Meslier will undoubtedly become the scapegoat at Leeds once again as he allowed Potts’ effort, struck right down the goalmouth, to find its way into the back of the net.
Jack Whatmough’s own goal spared the Whites’ blushes as he put into his own net under pressure from Mateo Joseph in the 93rd minute, but Daniel Farke will still feel like two points have been dropped.
Here, MOT Leeds News rates the players out of 10 for their performances at Deepdale.
Illan Meslier – 3
The Frenchman cost his side once again at Deepdale. Potts’ effort went straight at the goalkeeper, who couldn’t keep the ball out of his net. Preston offered no more attacking threat on the day but Meslier couldn’t save his side when called upon.
Jayden Bogle [off for Mateo Joseph 82′] – 6
Bogle was left in no man’s land at the back post as Pots eased passed the full-back to score the opener. However, he stepped up following his error and was lively down the right flank throughout the 90 minutes and was solid in the duel.
Joe Rodon – 7
The 27-year-old was as solid as ever, dealing with everything Preston threw at him. Unlike Struijk, he had the answer to all the opposition’s attacks and played his role in the build-up play to perfection constantly moving the ball further up the pitch.
Pascal Struijk – 5
The Leeds skipper allowed Milutin Osmajic to bypass him far too easily in the build-up to the Preston goal. He failed to deal with the physical presence of the Montenegrin forward all afternoon and performed far below his usual high standards.
Sam Byram [off for Ethan Ampadu 82′] – 6
He continues to maintain his high standards filling the void left by the injured Junior Firpo and produced a solid all-round performance on Saturday. While he was less involved in the action than his full-back teammate, his efforts did not go unnoticed. Although, he was caught out-of-position for the Preston goal in his only negative note from Deepdale.
Ao Tanaka – 6
Tanaka was nowhere near his usual impeccably high standards but still produced a solid display. He kept the ball moving but couldn’t find the killer pass to unlock the Preston defence.
Joe Rothwell [off for Manor Solomon 77′] – 6
The midfielder is usually impeccable in his delivery from set-pieces but suffered an off-day in this regard in Lancashire. Rothwell showed glimpses of quality with a few chances that fell his way but was unable to make the desired impact.
Dan James – 9
The Welsh forward is the only Leeds player who can leave Deepdale with his head held high. While his teammates were played out of the game, James continued to force the issue. He sent a fizzed ball across the Preston goalline only for Bamford to flick his effort wide and came close to finding the equaliser himself late in the second half as his effort struck the crossbar. James should feel let down by his teammates.
Brenden Aarsonson [off for Patrick Bamford 65′] – 4
Another poor display from the USA international at Deepdale – his impact on the contest was non-existent. He spurned a golden chance to score the equaliser for Leeds in the 37th minute when found unmarked in the penalty area and then disappeared.
Wilfried Gnonto [off for Largie Ramazani 65′] – 5
Gnonto was another Whites attacker who was completely nullified by the Preston defence. The Italian forward could not continue his rich vein of form in front of goal and failed to register a single shot on the opposition goal.
Joel Piroe – 6
The Dutchman is not doing himself any favours at Elland Road after firing another blank in Lancashire. He fired a lazy free-kick effort into the Preston wall in the first half and virtually every effort he fired at goal hit an opposition defender.
Substitutes
Patrick Bamford – 4
The Englishman proved why he is third in the pecking order to lead the line at Leeds as he missed an open goal opportunity to level the contest only minutes after his introduction.
Largie Ramazani – 5
Manor Solomon – 5
Ethan Ampadu – N/A
Mateo Joseph – 7
The Spaniard popped up when his teammates needed him most and helped salvage a point for Leeds in the final minutes of the contest.
In other Leeds news, Junior Firpo contract conditions have been shares for a renewal with the Whites.
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