Sam Allardyce expects Leeds United player to be targeted after what he’s done
Illan Meslier is to be taken out of the firing line by Daniel Farke when Leeds United take on Luton Town this weekend.
Saturday’s Championship clash at Kenilworth Road (5 April) could be a tricky test for a Leeds side with just one win in five, against a Luton outfit battling to avoid back-to-back relegations.
Meslier’s latest high-profile error against Swansea City last time out – two if being more harshly judged – has seen Farke finally act, the manager admitting he will start Karl Darlow between the sticks down in Bedfordshire.
Sam Allardyce makes Meslier confidence admission
Farke revealed on Thursday (3 April) that he will be replacing Meslier with Darlow and giving the experienced goalkeeper a chance for Leeds on Saturday.
Darlow has so far only featured in domestic cups and on the international scene for Wales, with Meslier persisted with by his manager all season long despite an error-strewn year which has visibly frustrated his outfield teammates.
Sam Allardyce was the previous Whites boss before Farke arrived, and before the German made his decision public, he predicted Meslier would have a huge target on his back.
“Everybody will be looking out for it now,” Allardyce claimed on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast (3 April, 47:17).
“Everybody will think this, that and the other. Meslier has a long, hard journey to come back to what everyone knows he is. People will be waiting [for a mistake].
“The lad’s confidence could be destroyed in an instant, people will jump on him.”
Meslier is expected to remain in the matchday squad and be named among the substitutes against Luton, with Darlow in line for just his third Championship appearance since joining Leeds in 2023.
Leeds need mojo back at Luton
Perhaps the omission of Meslier is the best thing for the Frenchman at this point, regardless of how he may have reacted to Farke’s news this week.
Darlow deserves his Leeds opportunity – it’s long overdue – but now he has to deliver. The advantage here is his overall career experience, even if he has astonishingly played fewer senior club matches in his career than Meslier, nine years his junior.
Both goalkeepers know what promotion from the Championship takes, but Meslier’s dropping has been a matter of time, and the defence may feel safer with Darlow behind them.
| POS | Championship 2024-25 | PLD | PTS | GD |
| 1 | Sheffield United | 39 | 83 | +27 |
| 2 | LEEDS UNITED | 39 | 81 | +51 |
| 3 | Burnley | 39 | 81 | +42 |
This could instil much-needed confidence throughout the Leeds side to go and put Luton to the sword. Kenilworth Road is never an easy place to visit, especially given the Hatters’ desperation to remain in the division and avoid free-falling from the Premier League to League One in 12 months.
Sheffield United and Burnley are doing their bit for themselves; Leeds must keep pace, or it could have dire consequences reminiscent of last season.