Posts

Latest

penalties given away, poor positioning 4, beaten at near posts 5, gone through him 6 — Illan Meslier is indefensible concedes BBC journalist — The Leeds Press 31/3/25

-
Image
by Kris Sanyal Illan Meslier is battling to stay in the team following another disastrous performance where he cost Leeds United more precious Championship points. The Frenchman is facing a real backlash, and Daniel Farke has been warned that he will be held responsible for keeping the goalkeeper in the team if Leeds do not get promoted. Farke has been a steadfast supporter of Illan Meslier despite his inconsistent performances, but it seems even he will find it hard to defend selecting him again next weekend. The French goalkeeper made the most basic of errors against Swansea to cost Leeds points, and there is now a clamour for him to be dropped from the team. Farke will be making a decision this week, but even the staunchest of Meslier supporters are finding it hard to excuse his poor performance against Swansea this weekend. I can’t defend Illan Meslier anymore – BBC journalist Adam Pope has been a supporter of Meslier and has been insistent that he remains a decent goal...
Read more

Are some clubs cursed? The narrative can be as powerful as the truth — The Guardian 31/3/25

-
Image
Leeds’s history of dark weirdness lends credence to the idea that ‘club DNA’ is real, even if reality may be more mundane Jonathan Wilson A month ago, Leeds were merrily on top of the Championship. They had just beaten Sunderland with two late goals and Sheffield United with three. They had gone 16 games unbeaten and were playing with authority and conviction. More than that, they seemed to have the deepest squad in the Championship. The Sunderland game had turned when they brought on Willy Gnonto and Largie Ramazani; nobody else in the division could bring that sort of quality off the bench. Since then they have won one of five games and slipped to second. It’s happening again. Saturday’s game with Swansea was simultaneously thrilling and extremely predictable. The US international Brenden Aaronson put Leeds ahead in the first minute, the sort of goal that is usually said to calm nerves. But there is such a thing as scoring too early. Leeds never really got going. Illan Meslie...
Read more

Graham Smyth: Leeds United 'spark plug' must be unleashed after stark 1,200-minute contrast — YEP 31/3/25

-
By Graham Smyth Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has said enough and seen enough to suggest the time is right to unleash his 'spark plug' at Luton Town. Had it not been for an ankle injury picked up in the international break, Willy Gnonto would have been in with a serious chance of breaking Brenden Aaronson's streak of 37 consecutive starts. The American has been a mainstay for Farke in the number 10 position all season long despite external calls for Gnonto and others to be given more of a chance to prove themselves as alternative options in that position. The last two seasons have shown that Farke needs to see certain things from players before he'll make changes and in some cases - like Georginio Rutter moving from 9 to 10 - it can take months before the manager is convinced. In other cases the German appears happier to go with the 'hot hand' and a player who has maybe built up a lot of momentum in a short space of time. Whether it's that Gnonto had ...
Read more

“Truly absurd human choices” — Radrizzani blasted for making daft decisions after Leeds United relegation — Sport Witness 31/3/25

-
By Naveen Ullal Leeds United are currently second in the Championship table, level on points with third placed Burnley and two points behind leader Sheffield United. The Whites are in contention to return to the Premier League, two years after their drop to the second division. This was when Andrea Radrizzani still owned Leeds United. 49ers Enterprises acquired a minority stake at Leeds before purchasing the remaining shares to seal the complete takeover in July 2023. A month before selling his stake at Elland Road, Radrizzani invested at Sampdoria. Former Sampdoria midfielder Loris Boni is unhappy with the Serie B club’s growth under the current ownership. Sampdoria News have relayed his comments. Boni used Radrizzani’s handling of Leeds after their relegation at the end of the 2022/23 season as an example to criticise the Italian businessman. The former Leeds owner helped the Italian club avoid bankruptcy and Boni appreciates him for that. He then questioned the intention...
Read more

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke urges players to clear their heads as he ponders what to do about Illan Meslier — Yorkshire Post 31/3/25

-
By Stuart Rayner DANIEL FARKE told his Leeds United players to go away and clear their minds whilst he considers what to do about goalkeeper Illan Meslier. The Whites were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Swansea City that felt like a defeat because of the timing of the goals. As the game ticked into its final minutes, Meslier was both hero and villain, his penalty save from Josh Tymon only delaying Swansea's equaliser before he dropped a corner to Harry Darling. Willy Gnonto looked to have won it within a minute of coming on as a substitute – Brenden Aaronson's goal came in the game’s first minute – only for another Meslier error in stoppage time. Farke told his players to clear their minds before getting back to work on Tuesday. He wanted to clear his too, unwilling to make a call on Meslier's place in the team in the immediate aftermath. "I told them for 48 hours you clear your mind, don't think about football," he said. "They (the players rep...
Read more

Illan Meslier at heart of Leeds United's crisis of confidence which threatens promotion hopes as lows overshadow highs against Swansea City — Yorkshire Post 30/3/25

-
By Stuart Rayner Only one team can stop Leeds United winning promotion to the Premier League in May but that team is Leeds United, and they have history. On paper at least, they have the title race’s gentlest run-in with Middlesbrough and Bristol City the only current top-half opposition still to tick off. But a bumpy start at home to Swansea City brought the demons are out in force again. Next come Luton Town, 23rd in the Championship but fifth in the five-match form table, seven places above Leeds. It kicks off at 12.30pm. Leeds even have a hang-up with that. In February, the Whites looked imperious, unstoppable. There were crushing wins – Cardiff City and Watford – but also late ones – Sunderland and Sheffield United – the mark of champions. March is the month doubt crept in – beaten at Portsmouth, points dropped to West Bromwich Albion, Queens Park Rangers and now a 2-2 draw with Swansea. When you messed up last season's run-in and lost the play-off final, never mind ...
Read more

Leeds United car park joy, telling expressions, legend's dance and off-camera Swansea City moments — YEP 30/3/25

-
By Graham Smyth The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from Leeds United’s 2-2 draw against visiting Swansea City. Leeds United returned from the international break in almost the worst possible fashion as they twice threw away a lead to draw with Swansea City. The performance and the manner in which they conceded did little to quell the building nerves ahead of the promotion run in but it was at least a point. Here's the YEP take on a day of poignant moments and hectic football. Good day Willy Gnonto The injury fears have been mostly allayed because he was fit enough to play some part and his impact was immediate and vital. It should have been the winner. With a good week of training at Thorp Arch surely the Italian will be unleashed at Luton. Bad day lllan Meslier It doesn't really need explaining, but it does need actioning. So much of what he did was good up to the 64th minute but yet more high profile errors have cost Leeds again and his position in the ...
Read more