Leeds United: Journalist shares unseen Pascal Struijk moment from defeat vs Preston North End
Journalist Lee Sobot has shared an unseen Leeds United moment involving Pascal Struijk that happened during the defeat to Preston North End.
The Whites went down 2-1 to Preston at Deepdale on Tuesday (26 December) in a match that saw goalkeeper Illan Meslier red carded with the game goalless.
Struijk raced up to referee Josh Smith in an attempt to get the official to reverse his decision early in the second half, but he was unsuccessful.
Picking out some off-the-camera moments in an article for the Yorkshire Evening Post [27 December], Sobot said: “Struijk leading from the front and trying to have words with referee Josh Smith after his decision to send Meslier off.
“Struijk’s pain and frustration at the situation was clear.”
Moment of madness
There is no doubt that Meslier’s moment of madness played a huge part in Leeds’ loss in Lancashire.
While Struijk may have cancelled out Alan Browne’s opener from the penalty spot, Liam Millar snatched a late winner for the home side.
Despite the protests from the Leeds players, Struijk among them, it was inevitable that referee Smith was going to reach into his back pocket.
Meslier was goaded by Preston’s players and should have taken a deep breath, but instead he retaliated and shoved Milutin Osmajic in the face.
Osmajic looked foolish with his reaction – the forward chucked himself to the ground and clutched his face – but Meslier can have few complaints.
It was a day to forget for both the goalkeeper and Leeds as a whole, yet some players can still hold their heads up high – Struijk being one of them.
A quick response is now needed against West Brom on Friday (29 December), with Karl Darlow set to start in Meslier’s place for that one.
In other Leeds United news, a Sky Sports pundit hit out at a “naughty” Preston player after something that happened in the Boxing Day clash.