Andy Hinchcliffe shares Leeds United dressing room twist after Illan Meslier howler
Andy Hinchcliffe believes the Leeds United dressing room may now be more united as a result of Illan Meslier’s error against Sunderland.
Meslier let the ball grasp through his reach to concede a 97th-minute equaliser in Friday’s (4 October) 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light.
The goalkeeper was said to be in pieces in the dressing room [Mark Schwarzer, BBC 5 Live], while Junior Firpo was among those not to console him on the field.
Rather than causing a rift behind the scenes, though, Sky Sports pundit Hinchcliffe reckons it could have the opposite effect.
“In a weird way, it could actually bring the dressing room closer,” he said on Sky Sports’ Essential EFL podcast [8 October, 7m 14s].
“Yes, it’s cost them a couple of points, but it’s the human aspect of it. The players can rally around [Meslier] because they know it could have been them who made the error.
“So the dressing room could get stronger as a result as everyone pulls together.”
Daniel Farke now has big Illan Meslier decision to make for Leeds
Meslier has always had a mistake or two in him, but nothing quite compares to what we saw at Sunderland last week.
What makes matters all the worse is that the number one has a fortnight to stew on the error before the Sheffield United game.
That gives Farke plenty of time to ponder whether a change is needed, with Karl Darlow possibly having a chance to impress for Wales.
Assuming Farke does stick with Meslier, though, all eyes will be on the Frenchman against Sheffield United in what is always a massive game.
Every cross into the box, every shot from range, even every simple back-pass will have fans watching from behind their fingers.
It should also be remembered Meslier has produced some sublime stops since becoming number one, not least before his Sunderland error.
Whether or not it makes the Leeds dressing room stronger is another matter, but time will certainly tell.
In other Leeds United news, Don Goodman has made an “arrogant” claim with regards to recent transfer business at Elland Road.
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