Leeds United kept a clean sheet on Sunday afternoon at Norwich but one player’s performance left Joe Rodon frustrated and Daniel Farke had to have a word at half-time.
Going into the game on Sunday, Leeds had lost four of the last six and managed just one clean sheet in the last eight league games. But Daniel Farke’s men were so much more solid, nullifying Norwich’s attack.
His decision to put Archie Gray into the no.10 role was a smart move, utilising the teenager’s energy to pack the midfield but contribute to the attack when he could in what was Gray’s 50th senior appearance.
It was Illan Meslier’s 20th clean sheet in the Championship this term, after winning the golden glove in the initial campaign ahead of West Brom’s Alex Palmer with 19 and conceding only 43 times in 2023-24.
But Meslier was not squeaky clean in his performance at Carrow Road on the weekend despite his clean sheet and Leeds securing a solid result ahead of the second leg on Thursday, with Joe Rodon frustrated.
Here is what Leeds Live reported about Meslier’s display and Rodon’s reaction:
Illan Meslier’s Leeds display annoys Rodon and Farke intervenes
The report states that Meslier’s distribution annoyed on-loan Tottenham man Rodon on Sunday with so much at stake. Incidents like a poorly executed pass to Rodon by the French stopper in the first half.
A risky one to Ilia Gruev despite the Bulgaria star being surrounded by a number of Norwich players. It saw Rodon react, but also Leeds boss Farke raised his concerns about Meslier’s passing at half-time.
Criticism surrounding Meslier’s distribution is nothing new but with so much pressure in the play-offs, the £5m signing needs to get it right going into the second leg with one mistake likely to prove very costly.
Meslier’s record against Norwich will give Leeds confidence
Going into Sunday’s first leg, Meslier had won all four matches against Norwich. Two 2-1 wins in the Premier League including a win that saw Joe Gelhardt score a last-minute winner under Jesse Marsch.
Then, a 3-2 comeback win and a 1-0Elland Road victory in January during the regular Championship season. Sunday saw Meslier lose his winning streak but remain unbeaten against David Wagner’s side.
That is a record that will give Leeds confidence going into Thursday’s second leg against Norwich. For Leeds, fingers crossed Meslier keeps that run going and make it five wins from six games against them.