Graham Smyth backs Daniel Farke summer signing criticism as major Leeds United call lies in wait — Yep 10/1/26
By Mark Carruthers
The YEP's chief football writer has been discussing one
major talking point following Leeds United's defeat at Newcastle United.
History appears to be repeating for Leeds United as Daniel
Farke considers his options following a difficult period for one of his main
summer signings.
Winding back the clock to this time last year when the
Whites were battling to secure their place in the Premier League, goalkeeper
Illan Meslier came under some criticism for a number of shaky performances and
eventually gave way to experienced stopper Karl Darlow. The Wales international
provided a steadying presence between the sticks and played a key role in
helping Farke’s side to the Championship title and secure their return to the
top flight after a two-year absence.
Despite Darlow’s impressive performances, there was always
an expectation a new number one would arrive during the summer transfer window
and that came to pass when Brazilian stopper Lucas Perri arrived in a reported
£15.6m deal from Ligue 1 club Lyon. Despite his new side struggling to find
consistency following his arrive, Perri enjoyed a solid start to his time at
Elland Road - but he has come under fire in recent weeks and that could lead
Farke to call upon Darlow to ease some pressure on his big money summer
addition.
After being criticised for his role in Matheus Cunha’s
equaliser in the Whites’ 1-1 draw with Manchester United last weekend, Perri
produced another shaky display in the agonising late defeat at Newcastle in
midweek and was publicly questioned by Farke for his attempts to deny Harvey
Barnes when the Magpies winger snatched all three points in the twelfth minute
of second-half injury-time.
The YEP’s Graham Smyth was at St James Park to witness the
disappointing defeat in a seven-goal thriller and he believes Farke was right
to question Perri and stressed there is a need to discuss what could lie ahead
for the Whites goalkeeping options.
Speaking on the latest Inside Elland Road podcast, the YEP’s
chief football writer said: “I just don’t know that you can say that Lucas
Perri has yet shown himself to be an upgrade of any sort on Karl Darlow. I’m
not a goalkeeping expert, people would say you’re not a football expert, but
I’m particularly not a goalkeeping expert. So I am on slightly shaky ground
when I judge what should be saved, what shouldn’t be saved and what a
goalkeeper should and shouldn’t do.
“But his manager was happy enough to come out in public
instantly after the game and criticise him for that, just as he criticised the
Manchester United one and I think back to what Karl Darlow was doing and think
is Lucas Perri doing anything above and beyond that. Distribution wise, no.
Shot stopping wise, no. He’s good at dealing with crosses, he punches sometimes
when I think please catch but he’s dealt with the cross, by and large, in most
instances. But now that he’s conceding goals of this manner, two in two games,
I think it’s only right and fair we at least discuss it.”
What has Daniel Farke said about Lucas Perri?
