Leeds United youngster's presence, fans' feat, defender example in off-camera Preston moments — YEP 27/12/23
Leeds United endured a Boxing Day to forget at Preston North End which presented a bad day for most Whites men but not all of them.
By Lee Sobot
Here is the YEP’s take and a few off-camera moments.
Bad Day
Illan Meslier
Leeds were disappointing in the first half but it ultimately
ended goalless, giving the Whites every chance of sorting things out after the
interval and leaving with all three points. A particularly good Meslier save
helped keep the score goalless in the first 45 minutes but the Frenchman then
undid all of his earlier good work with the moment of madness that led to his
red card. The reaction of Preston’s Milutin Osmajic to Meslier putting his hand
in his face was extreme to say the least but any player raising their hands to
an opposing player’s race is running a big risk and Meslier paid the price. He
can have no complaints and his red card cost his team dearly with the
complexion of the game then completely changing. The Frenchman is also now
looking at a three-game ban.
Archie Gray
Seventeen-year-old Gray has been nothing short of superb in
his breakthrough season and the teen was particularly immense in the weekend’s
4-0 win at home to Ipswich Town. It should also be remembered that Gray is
playing out of position at right back. It didn’t look like it against Ipswich
but the youngster endured a torrid time of things at Deepdale as Liam Millar
ran riot down the left flank. It was no surprise whatsoever that it was Millar
who bagged the winner.
Joel Piroe
Nobody exactly covered themselves in glory for Daniel
Farke’s side but Piroe was particularly poor in the first half in which nothing
he attempted came off. The Dutchman regularly got himself into some good
positions but his weak shot when well placed in the middle of the box to a
Georginio Rutter pullback summed up his display and it was no surprise that it
was Piroe who was sacrificed for keeper Karl Darlow to come on when Meslier was
sent off.
Good day
Mateo Joseph
Good day is stretching it somewhat but 20-year-old Joseph
performed admirably in the face of a difficult task when sent on as part of a
triple substitution from boss Daniel Farke in the 68th minute at which point
his side were a goal and a man down. Joseph initially found things difficult
but the young striker then began to help his team’s fightback with some decent
hold up play against some tough defenders. There was also some good movement
from Joseph who looks well worth more of a chance. It’s also interesting that
he was brought on before Patrick Bamford who only entered the fray in the 90th
minute.
Pascal Struijk
Struijk surely won’t see it as a good day but the
centre-back can be proud of his efforts in which he produced a real captain’s
performance in the face of adversity. Leeds were not great at either ends of
the pitch but Struijk produced some decent tackles and blocks in addition to
some neat passes out of defence. There were a few quizzical looks when the
defender then stepped up to take United’s penalty but the centre-back produced
a striker’s finish with an ice-cool conversion from the spot as part of a half
in which he ended up playing more or less on the left wing as Leeds went for
broke. Still only 24, Struijk led by example and is a player going from
strength to strength.
Off-camera moments
The news that Sam Byram was with the Whites squad emerging
as the day began with a big boost for Leeds upon an earlier than expected
injury return.
The sheer sight of the Whites away end, nearly 6,000 fans
managing to get themselves to Preston despite the early kick off with no
trains. A superb feat.
Struijk leading from the front and trying to have words with
referee Josh Smith after his decision to send Meslier off. Struijk’s pain and
frustration at the situation was clear.
Joseph’s delight as James won the Whites an 83rd-minute
penalty, the striker raising his arms to the away end as Leeds sensed an
unlikely comeback.
The general dejection at the full-time whistle as United’s
players reacted to a huge missed opportunity just three days after a superb 4-0
win against Ipswich Town.
