Farke and Marathe talks revealed after what happened in Leeds draw v Swansea
Leeds United faced another setback as they drew 2-2 with Swansea City on Saturday, conceding in the 96th minute.
Leeds may have thought it would be their day after scoring in the 86th minute to make it 2-1, especially after Ilian Meslier saved a penalty earlier in the game, but Swansea struck back right at the death.
The result means that Leeds have dropped to second in the table and sit two points behind Sheffield United at the top of the Championship. More importantly, Burnley are level on points in third place.
Leeds United talks revealed
Daniel Farke‘s only aim this season was to take Leeds up to the Premier League, and up until recently that looked a nailed-on outcome.
The Whites have a good squad of players but that doesn’t mean that they haven’t come under criticism before this point in the season.
One man in particular who has struggled to find consistent form and often found himself at fault for dropping points is Meslier. Whether these will be costly to his side at the end of the season is to be seen.
While he looked like he was going to be the hero with a penalty save, the goalkeeper undid that later in the game against Swansea when he dropped the ball and allowed to visitors to squeeze in a second equaliser.
| Stats | Meslier v Swansea |
| Saves | 4 |
| Errors leading to goal | 1 |
| Goals conceded | 2 |
According to Beren Cross for The Athletic (30 March), as the full-time whistle blew, chairman Paraag Marathe wanted to be alone as he walked to the other side of the box he was in after receiving a comment in his ear.
The chief will know how crucial promotion is to Leeds’ hopes this season, and while there are two automatic promotion places up for grabs, it is the absolute worst time to be dropping form.
Furthermore, Cross’ report states that conversations between the manager and the chairman took place in the winter transfer window regarding Meslier, with the question being asked of whether the goalkeeper would be the difference between going up and staying down.
Farke has stood by him throughout the season so far, but it’s crunch time now and the Whites’ decision to stand by Meslier looks to be backfiring.
Farke has to be ruthless with Meslier decision
Although Meslier saved a penalty, he proved why he does not fill his side with too much confidence by making another mistake later in the game that cost a goal.
It seems as though the chairman was quiet at full time and it’s understandable why, when he seemingly offered Farke a solution to the problem that could cost them promotion and the manager didn’t take it.
With Leeds now second in the table, there is no margin for any further error and the boss has to prove he can take his side up by being ruthless.
Karl Darlow occupies the substitution position on the bench and he is a goalkeeper with extensive experience both in the second tier and the top flight, meaning he has to be worth a punt.
If Leeds fail to gain promotion this term, it feels likely that Farke will be shown the door and therefore he has to make the big decisions in the final weeks of the season to stop that happening.