Amidst the pressure cooker of a play-off semi-final away from home, a 0-0 draw against Norwich City was a good result for Leeds United but Daniel Farke says one player “could have been better”.
Farke has been criticised at times during the 2023-24 campaign for his tactical nous when things have not gone to plan. Whether that be his substitutions, or his lack of willingness to change his starting line-up.
But on Sunday he threw Archie Gray into the 10 role behind Georginio Rutter in place of Joel Piroe and it made Leeds look a whole lot more solid, resulting in only a second clean sheet in Leeds’ last nine games.
Illan Meslier clocked up his 20th clean sheet in the Championship after 19 in the regular season, winning the league’s golden glove. The Frenchman did not have to pull off any crucial saves but did his job.
That is despite Joe Rodon getting frustrated with Meslier’s distribution out from the back, a constant source of criticism regarding the £5m man from fans and Farke has now had his say on the goalkeeper.
Here is what Farke said about Meslier after the 0-0 draw against Norwich:
Farke says Illan Meslier is world class but could have been better
Ultimately, a goalkeeper is there to bring home a clean sheet and make saves and Meslier did his job on Sunday, playing his part in stopping Norwich and avoiding defeat when it was more important than ever.
Meslier is a top goalkeeper and it must be remembered that the French ace is still only 24, clocking up a huge 173 games for The Whites. In that time he has clocked up 50 clean sheets after Sunday afternoon.
As per Leeds Live, here is what Farke said: “When a goalkeeper returns with a clean sheet to the dressing room it’s world-class, his main task. We’re always speaking. I like to use the goalkeeper in the build-up.
“The main task is to make sure we are there with many clean sheets. Today, clean sheet, happy with him. A few decisions on the ball could have been a bit better today. At least that was my feeling,” Farke said.
David Wagner delivers update on Norwich duo ahead of Thursday
Norwich manager Wagner gave an injury update on two crucial attackers after Sunday’s 0-0 draw. Josh Sargent was forced off the field of play, with the 16-goal Norwich star suffering a knock to his ankle.
Ashley Barnes has played his part for Norwich after joining from Burnley but the veteran was missing on Sunday and Wagner gave an update on both Sargent and Barnes ahead of the second leg at Elland Road.
The German manager says that he does not believe Sargent’s injury will be a big issue and he should be okay for Thursday. But for Barnes, his calf strain might mean he is missing for the trip to Yorkshire.