Stuart Dallas wants Daniel Farke to axe Leeds star after what he’s seen
Daniel Farke has a massive call to make as Leeds United prepare to take on Luton Town this weekend.
The Whites manager has been rocked yet again by the latest high-profile error from Illan Meslier, a goalkeeper who in previous years had been turning in immense performances.
Meslier’s past at Elland Road must now remain the sole reason Farke keeps him in the side, with international stopper Karl Darlow waiting in the wings and constantly snubbed for an opportunity.
Dallas makes Meslier admission
Former Leeds hero Stuart Dallas has given his take on the matter, with Farke’s side now having taken just one win from their last five.
Dallas remains well within the hearts of the West Yorkshire faithful after his tremendous service at Elland Road, and his opinion still holds plenty of weight.
He appears on the side of the majority of the support-base, urging Farke to consider replacing Meslier with Darlow as the Championship run-in approaches and promotion is a must.
“It might be time to take [Meslier] out. I don’t know. Obviously, only the manager will make that decision,” Dallas told the Yorkshire Evening Post (2 April).
“They’ve got Karl Darlow there as well, who is an experienced goalkeeper. He’s not an 18-year-old kid with no experience. He’s a really, really top, top goalkeeper.”
“As I said before, he’s had a difficult season. Karl is a more than capable replacement, so it’ll be interesting to see what Daniel does.”
Meslier has cast doubt upon his own future at Leeds judging by many of this season’s performances, with Saturday’s contest against Swansea City (29 March) an example of how even when it goes right, it then goes wrong.
The 25-year-old saved a penalty from Josh Tymon with Leeds leading 1-0, only to make two major mishaps in the second half to hand the visitors an unlikely point, knocking the Whites from their league perch.
Leeds United under pressure to give Darlow a chance
While Darlow is 34, nine years Meslier’s senior, and a full Welsh international, he has actually astonishingly played fewer senior games than the Frenchman in his career.
Meslier has played 261 professional matches in his club career, while Darlow has played 13 fewer with 248 – spending years of his own journey as a backup option.
Darlow has exhibited on numerous occasions he can perform to a higher level than as a number two, and it’s now or never for Farke if he is going to give the former Newcastle and Nottingham Forest man a chance.
| Leeds United goalkeepers | Senior club appearances |
| Illan Meslier | 261 |
| Karl Darlow | 248 |
Leeds have two tough away games on the horizon, with Luton battling for their lives ahead of Saturday’s clash (5 April), followed by the shorter trip to play-off-chasing Middlesbrough (8 April), for whom last weekend was a terrific one results-wise.
Whoever Farke gives the nod between the sticks will have eagle eyes on their every move, either way.