BBC commentator drops ‘nervous wreck’ verdict on Illan Meslier ahead of Leeds United v Norwich City
Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier can be “exploited” in the second leg of their play-off semi-final on Thursday (16 May), according to ex-Norwich striker Iwan Roberts.
Writing in his column for The Pink Un, Roberts said that if any Leeds player is to slip up and gift Norwich a chance, he believes that “100%” it will be Meslier.
The 24-year-old has kept 19 clean sheets in 45 Championship appearances this season, the joint-highest in the division, but that hasn’t stopped him looking shaky in recent weeks as the Whites’ automatic promotion bid faltered.
“The Leeds keeper – 100% he can be exploited”, the former Canaries striker wrote. “He looks a nervous wreck with the ball at his feet, he tends to hold on to the ball a little bit too much.
“If I’m a centre forward, when he starts having these touches, I’m going in, I’m closing him down.”
Adding to his striker’s perspective on Meslier, Roberts added: “You get to know defenders and you will know the ones that will always give you a chance, that one opportunity in the game.”
Illan Meslier must recapture form for Leeds to achieve promotion
Leeds United and Norwich may have played out a dour 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final tie, but have everything to play for ahead of the return fixture at Elland Road on Thursday (16 May).
Prior to Sunday (12 May)’s match, there had been six goals between the sides in two meetings this season, with Leeds coming from 2-0 down to defeat Norwich 3-2 away from home and adding a 1-0 win at Elland Road in January.
Meslier was forced into decisive saves in both matches, and needs to find that kind of form again if Leeds are to keep the Canaries at bay and make it to the play-off final.
If they do just that, the Whites will face either Southampton or West Brom, who they’ve got dismal records against this season.
Southampton alone have beaten Meslier five times in 3-1 and 2-1 victories respectively, the most recent of which came on the final day of the regular season as Leeds’ promotion push wilted.
Leeds finished with the Championship’s second-best defence and more clean sheets than any other side, but after the final weeks of the season saw Meslier and co’s confidence take a hit, now is the time for the embattled goalkeeper to step up and make his side’s defensive record as steely as the Wembley arch.
In other Leeds news, Crysencio Summerville’s stance on his future without promotion has been shared amid interest from Liverpool and Chelsea.
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