Chris
Leeds United take on Southampton this weekend aiming to make it five games in a row without conceding, as Illan Meslier continues in solid form.
The year of 2023 hasn’t been brilliant for a lot of players at Leeds, especially in the defence after how badly Leeds ended the season in the Premier League with relegation.
Illan Meslier came in for justified criticism after his form fell off a cliff, but he’s turning it around under Daniel Farke right now.
Conceding from his first two shots on goal faced wasn’t an ideal start to the campaign against Cardiff City, but as the side settled down following the end of the transfer window, so has Meslier’s form.
He is enjoying his time in the starting lineup with real competition behind him in Karl Darlow, signed from Newcastle United in the summer on a permanent deal.
The last four games between the sticks for Meslier have brought four clean sheets, with the last goal he conceded in stoppage time away at Ipswich Town – a win nonetheless.
Will Darlow get a chance soon?
Southampton are up next for Leeds, and it’s going to be an interesting comparison with how the two teams play out from the back, with Russell Martin’s side shipping goals left, right, and centre from their own doing in possession.
Meanwhile, Meslier has probably never felt more confident in the defensive setup he’s involved in, and it’s unlikely to be a question for Farke whether he makes a change.
The Frenchman hasn’t been outstanding this season, but he’s keeping a £40,000-per-week new signing from making starts in the Championship, no mean feat given what we know about Darlow’s credentials in the league.
There will surely be a time where Meslier makes his way out of the lineup as Darlow gets the nod, but this weekend isn’t the one.
