Sky Sports pundit suggests some Leeds fans jump on ‘bandwagon’ to criticise ‘fabulous’ player
Sky Sports pundit Danny Mills has suggested that some Leeds United fans are too quick to criticise goalkeeper Kiko Casilla.
The 33-year-old joined Leeds from Real Madrid last January and although he has been a major improvement on the likes of Felix Wiedwald and Bailey Peacock-Farrell, the Spaniard has still made some high-profile errors.
Casilla was torn to shreds for his performance against Derby in the play-offs last season and this term he has also been responsible for conceding some soft goals.
The ex-Real Madrid shot-stopper is known to rush out of his goal when he does not need to and sometimes his passing can be a bit loose.
However, Mills claims that Casilla remains a top goalkeeper and one that should get less of a rough ride from supporters when he does make a mistake.
“Yeah, he is undoubtedly a fabulous goalkeeper,” Mills told Football Insider.
“Of course goalkeepers make mistakes, Hugo Lloris, David De Gea they all make mistakes from time to time, but when goalkeepers make mistakes, it’s very prevalent that they’ve made that mistake.
“More often than not it’s a goal, simple as that, it’s how it is, you have to accept that and deal with that.
“But yeah I do think people are a little bit quick, a little bit harsh, to jump on that bandwagon and go ‘he’s not all that and we need a replacement’ and all that type of thing.”
Casilla has been ever-present for Leeds since his arrival midway through last season.
He’s kept 12 clean sheets in 27 Championship appearances this season, conceding 23 goals in the process.
Casilla is hardly someone who has had many shots to face with WhoScored showing that he’s only made 54 saves this season, which ranks him joint-12th in the Championship.
However Leeds’ defence has been formidable in spells and the Spaniard has been blessed with the in-form Ben White in front of him.
Casilla is prone to mistakes and therefore prone to criticism.
When he makes those mistakes, especially when they lead to goals, a reaction by fans is bound to take place and pundits like Mills should probably just accept that.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay says played has passed medical with the Whites.