MOT View: Display of Leeds ace v Hull will calm nerves of BBC pundit over ‘big blow’
This week has been slightly overshadowed by the FA finding Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla of racism – a decision that will see the Spaniard banned for eight games.
Illan Meslier was pictured sleeping during the short trip to Hull City on Friday, and he was thrown into the deep end to make his Championship debut in the 4-0 victory.
The French youngster didn’t have much to do and apart from a few misplaced passes, he commanded his area well around the presence of Josh Magennis.
Noel Whelan was still disappointed about the FA and how they dealt with the timing of the case, but Meslier’s display will have calmed his anger.
“It’s madness, it really is,” the BBC pundit told Football Insider.
“Especially now, when you come to this stage of the season, it’s come at a really bad time because he has improved, he has made some good saves in the past three games.
“He’s looked a little bit like himself and it’s a big blow that the ban comes now. I don’t think it will be too damaging but it’s not going to be ideal.”
Fans around the KCOM Stadium were in fine voice and behind Meslier, who even got a round of applause after a couple of mistakes and misplaced passes on the ball.
The 19-year-old became the eight teenager used in the Championship by Marcelo Bielsa and repaid that by completing more passes than any Hull player managed over the 90 minutes.
Meslier proved he wasn’t a one-game wonder by replicating his display against Arsenal, and his form could prove critical between now and the end of the season.
In other Leeds United news, Barry Douglas has disagreed with a fan over how many wins are needed for automatic promotion