Graham Smyth shares what Leeds United fans did to Illan Meslier in win v Sheffield United
Graham Smyth has shared what the Leeds United crowd did to Illan Meslier during the Whites’ win over Sheffield United.
Daniel Farke’s side got back to winning ways after the October international break with a 2-0 victory at Elland Road on Friday (18 October) thanks to second-half goals from Pascal Struijk and Mateo Joseph.
Meslier, who was under pressure after his mistake against Sunderland, had very little to do against the Blades but Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Smyth insists the crowd still got behind the Frenchman with a “big reception”.
Writing for the Yorkshire Evening Post (19 October) he said: “Illan Meslier getting a big reception from the West Stand as he came off at the end of his warm-up with goalkeeping coach Ed Wootten.”
What happened to Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier at Elland Road?
Even the most relaxed of Leeds United fans would have been left irritated by Meslier’s error at the Stadium of Light, but it is great to see that the Frenchman has the backing of the crowd inside Elland Road.
It would have been easy for supporters to turn on the keeper, but by getting behind him and supporting him in the manner that they have, they will have likely boosted his confidence heading into the remainder of the season.
Farke has shown that he intends to stand by the Whites’ number one and while that remains the case, the fans have to support that decision. At his best, Meslier will win Leeds games on his own with his work between the posts.
Hopefully, the win and clean sheet against the Blades will have done the French keeper a world of good heading into the remainder of the season.
He will have been desperate to get back on the pitch and back to his best during the international break to attempt to rectify that error against Sunderland and he did exactly that on Friday night.
In other Leeds United news, one Sky pundit was quick to slam a Whites player for a “dreadful” moment against the Blades
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