Leeds United outcast Joel Robles predicted to have ‘major say’ on survival amid ‘miserable’ Illan Meslier development
Leeds United outcast Joel Robles will have a “major say” on the club’s Premier League survival hopes, according to journalist William Jackson.
Robles was handed a rare start in Sam Allardyce’s first match in charge of the Whites in the clash with Manchester City on Saturday (6 May).
The Spaniard replaced Illan Meslier between the sticks, with the latter coming under fire for his recent displays.
“Joel Robles has hardly been seen in a Leeds United shirt this season,” Jackson wrote for Leeds Live. “The Spanish goalkeeper’s arrival last summer on a free transfer flew under the radar and prior to this weekend his game time had been limited exclusively to cup competitions.
“However, he now looks set to have a major say on Leeds’ survival hopes over the remainder of the season after winning the battle to be Sam Allardyce’s number one. The head coach’s first United team selection for the clash with Manchester City was always going to intrigue with big calls to be made across the park.
“The biggest decision without a shadow of a doubt, though, came between the sticks, with Allardyce opting to take Illan Meslier out of the firing line immediately on the back of his miserable performance last time out at Bournemouth.”
Big call from Big Sam
Allardyce has been tasked with steading the ship at Leeds, which looks set to be a very difficult challenge given the sheer lack of confidence going around the club.
The boss will be forced to make many big decisions over the coming weeks as he tries to find a solution to the ongoing problem as soon as he possibly can, with time rapidly running out to save the club from relegation.
And Big Sam has already shown he is not afraid to make such big decisions by dropping number one Meslier for Robles, who had made just two appearances for the club before featuring against Manchester City.
Meslier has been beaten far too easily this season, with the youngster making too many costly mistakes.
The more senior figure of Robles looked composed against Pep Guardiola’s men and put in a strong showing despite conceding twice.
At 32, his experience will be key in the coming weeks, with Allardyce very likely to stick with the former Everton man for the remainder of the season.
In other Leeds United news, Five Thirty-Eight’s super computer has made a new relegation prediction for the Whites following the loss to Manchester City.