Illan Meslier

[DDB220]

Pot kettle black, watch that first goal, pause it and wonder where the f**k our central defenders are. They have no good reason to be angry with Meslier. I'm surprised the defenders did so well in the player ratings and MOTM, the defence and defensive mid lost that game for us.

Our central defenders were pretty much where you would pretty expect them to be in the phase of play. We were caught out by an excellent switch of play. Wober was responsible for his opposite number and was in the right position. Unfortunately he had switched off and gave Kamara half a yard which became two. Wober is not fit yet, that much was apparent by his attempt to get anywhere near Kamara.

[andrewjohnsmith]

I think Melsier is a young keeper with terrific talent. He has fantastic reflexes and makes great saves. Goalkeeping is a lot about confidence. When we were getting trounced in the premier league, Melsier suffered because he had such a porous defence and lazy midfield in front of him. He was pulling off some good saves. But there's no worse feeling for a goalie than conceding 5 or 6 in game. And that obviously had an impact on him.

Conversely, he's in the opposite situation now. He doesn't have a lot to do in games. And as a youngster, that seems to be affecting his concentration too. Dorigo was talking about Lukic (very experienced when they played together). He said that Lukic had that ability to switch it on in that rare moment he was called upon.

Both situations - the trouncings and the lack of involvement - seem to have had an effect on the mental side of Meslier's game. He was at his best when we were doing well. The first season in the premier league under Bielsa, he was brilliant. He was getting huge praise from commentators who weren't necessarily familiar with him and was subject to a lot of outside interest.

He's shown he has the ability. But he's also shown that he doesn't handle the pressure well. I'm not really a critic of Meslier. I do think he's talented and can have a great future. But I also recognize that he's been struggling this season. I don't think he should be burned at the stake, ostracized, or binned. But I do think Darlow should get a chance to play a couple of games. Give Mes a break. When Darlow messes up, we bring Meslier back again.

[Musicman1965]

Your done
Your going to be sold
We need a reliable Keeper and you blew it
Good luck with your next club

[DDB220]

I think Melsier is a young keeper with terrific talent. He has fantastic reflexes and makes great saves. Goalkeeping is a lot about confidence. When we were getting trounced in the premier league, Melsier suffered because he had such a porous defence and lazy midfield in front of him. He was pulling off some good saves. But there's no worse feeling for a goalie than conceding 5 or 6 in game. And that obviously had an impact on him.

Conversely, he's in the opposite situation now. He doesn't have a lot to do in games. And as a youngster, that seems to be affecting his concentration too. Dorigo was talking about Lukic (very experienced when they played together). He said that Lukic had that ability to switch it on in that rare moment he was called upon.

Both situations - the trouncings and the lack of involvement - seem to have had an effect on the mental side of Meslier's game. He was at his best when we were doing well. The first season in the premier league under Bielsa, he was brilliant. He was getting huge praise from commentators who weren't necessarily familiar with him and was subject to a lot of outside interest.

He's shown he has the ability. But he's also shown that he doesn't handle the pressure well. I'm not really a critic of Meslier. I do think he's talented and can have a great future. But I also recognize that he's been struggling this season. I don't think he should be burned at the stake, ostracized, or binned. But I do think Darlow should get a chance to play a couple of games. Give Mes a break. When Darlow messes up, we bring Meslier back again.

I am not sure that is a great strategy, it is effectively promotion for Darlow with the caveat if you fook up, then you’re out. Not exactly reducing the pressure and potential anxiety for Darlow. Whilst he is an experienced keeper god only knows how he responds to additional pressure.
If Farke drops Meslier, which by no means is guaranteed he will have to closely manage the fallout. If he goes with Darlow, does he put Cairns on the bench and effectively demote Mes to 3rd choice or put Mes on the bench knowing Darlow is no spring chicken.

It is a rather delicate situation, probably a management headache Farke could do without.

All this talk of the players not giving Mes reassurance etc in the aftermath of his clanger is by no means proof that they have lost confidence in him, rather than just being truly pissed at him at the time. Who knows what happened in the dressing room after the match when the players have had time to analyse the events of the game. I am sure something will come out eventually.

I suppose what happens against Harrogate in terms of selection might be an indication of what Farke has determined.

[BradWhite]

I am not sure that is a great strategy, it is effectively promotion for Darlow with the caveat if you fook up, then you’re out. Not exactly reducing the pressure and potential anxiety for Darlow. Whilst he is an experienced keeper god only knows how he responds to additional pressure.
If Farke drops Meslier, which by no means is guaranteed he will have to closely manage the fallout. If he goes with Darlow, does he put Cairns on the bench and effectively demote Mes to 3rd choice or put Mes on the bench knowing Darlow is no spring chicken.

It is a rather delicate situation, probably a management headache Farke could do without.

All this talk of the players not giving Mes reassurance etc in the aftermath of his clanger is by no means proof that they have lost confidence in him, rather than just being truly pissed at him at the time. Who knows what happened in the dressing room after the match when the players have had time to analyse the events of the game. I am sure something will come out eventually.

I suppose what happens against Harrogate in terms of selection might be an indication of what Farke has determined.

The question is a 34 year old Darlow going to be any better than Mes?

[andrewjohnsmith]

I am not sure that is a great strategy, it is effectively promotion for Darlow with the caveat if you fook up, then you’re out. Not exactly reducing the pressure and potential anxiety for Darlow. Whilst he is an experienced keeper god only knows how he responds to additional pressure.
If Farke drops Meslier, which by no means is guaranteed he will have to closely manage the fallout. If he goes with Darlow, does he put Cairns on the bench and effectively demote Mes to 3rd choice or put Mes on the bench knowing Darlow is no spring chicken.

It is a rather delicate situation, probably a management headache Farke could do without.

All this talk of the players not giving Mes reassurance etc in the aftermath of his clanger is by no means proof that they have lost confidence in him, rather than just being truly pissed at him at the time. Who knows what happened in the dressing room after the match when the players have had time to analyse the events of the game. I am sure something will come out eventually.

I suppose what happens against Harrogate in terms of selection might be an indication of what Farke has determined.

Well obviously we're not telling Darlow he plays until he makes a mistake

And as for man management of the situation, that's Farke's job (and I think he's pretty good at it). He wouldn't be the first manager to bench his first choice goalkeeper.

[Phild]

Andrew John smith.
I know this forum is about opinions and that there will be lots of disagreements.
That being said ,having just read the first 2 sentences of your recent thread have left be gobsmacked.
Could you kindly enlighten me, and presumably the majority on here, as to why you feel this way about him.

[FeelsLikeThunder]

If he doesn't get sold, we'll absolutely need to get in a first team quality keeper to keep Mes on his toes and obviously slot in when needed, or even take his place entirely. He needs the competition and we need another option there.

[Sean_Nile]

The goal keeper is the flavour of the day, a few weeks ago it was the wing backs, Firpo out and Bogle not good enough. Then there was the midfield going missing with Gurev and Ampadu getting injured, boo hoo, but Tanaka and Rothwell stepped in and filled their boots.

Oh and the Joseph/Piroe/Bamford controversy grinds on, and the elusive hunt for a number 10 refuses to go away, then there is those wingers that blow hot and cold, and now that it is transfer season the lack of activity on our part, while everyone else is doing business aggravates us.

We are consumed by mass hysteria, melt downs to rival the democrats when Trump won the election. Pile ons on poor Spiderboy, the rage of the Leeds defenders when he makes a mistake, as if Solomon never slipped, lost the ball that then led to a goal, or that, Ao Tanaka conceded the penalty that led to Todd Cantwell's goal for Blackburn. Everyone has a mistake in them.

Bet is was even hard to remember the Solomon, Tanaka mistakes.

Even this to shall pass. The original phrase has deep historical roots and is often used to convey the idea that no situation, good or bad, is permanent.

When we get promoted the draw with Hull will be an insignificant footnote in the annals of footballing history.

Chill Winston!!!

[DDB220]

100% disagree Cussie

Meslier is a terrible goalkeeper and has proved this time and time again. We've persisted with him for numerous seasons and he's never improved. It's like persisting with Tyler Roberts, and all the other dross we've suffered. They will never be good enough. So cut the ties with Meslier and get rid now.

There are tons of capable goalkeepers that will do a much better job for us. Stoke got Johansson for 1million squid, what a steal. I think the Blunts paid 2 million for Cooper. Newcastle paid 10 million for Pope, but he is the best goalkeeper in England imo, and that's still a steal.

Simple as this, good teams do not tolerate s**t players and Meslier is one s**t goalkeeper.

If you look at top level successful teams they all have top class goalkeepers: Schmeichel, Dad and son, Clemence, Shilton, etc, those guys literally won trophies for their sides.

I can't stand Meslier and have been calling for him and that other useless specimen Bamford to be ran out of town for many years now.

You are aware Shilton never saved a penalty - not sure if just for England or during his career.

[PhoenixUnited]

The goal keeper is the flavour of the day, a few weeks ago it was the wing backs, Firpo out and Bogle not good enough. Then there was the midfield going missing with Gurev and Ampadu getting injured, boo hoo, but Tanaka and Rothwell stepped in and filled their boots.

Oh and the Joseph/Piroe/Bamford controversy grinds on, and the elusive hunt for a number 10 refuses to go away, then there is those wingers that blow hot and cold, and now that it is transfer season the lack of activity on our part, while everyone else is doing business aggravates us.

We are consumed by mass hysteria, melt downs to rival the democrats when Trump won the election. Pile ons on poor Spiderboy, the rage of the Leeds defenders when he makes a mistake, as if Solomon never slipped, lost the ball that then led to a goal, or that, Ao Tanaka conceded the penalty that led to Todd Cantwell's goal for Blackburn. Everyone has a mistake in them.

Bet is was even hard to remember the Solomon, Tanaka mistakes.

Even this to shall pass. The original phrase has deep historical roots and is often used to convey the idea that no situation, good or bad, is permanent.

When we get promoted the draw with Hull will be an insignificant footnote in the annals of footballing history.

Chill Winston!!!

Nice.

Be a bit boring if everyone on here starts to apply common sense and fly right!

[weasel]

The goal keeper is the flavour of the day, a few weeks ago it was the wing backs, Firpo out and Bogle not good enough. Then there was the midfield going missing with Gurev and Ampadu getting injured, boo hoo, but Tanaka and Rothwell stepped in and filled their boots.

Oh and the Joseph/Piroe/Bamford controversy grinds on, and the elusive hunt for a number 10 refuses to go away, then there is those wingers that blow hot and cold, and now that it is transfer season the lack of activity on our part, while everyone else is doing business aggravates us.

We are consumed by mass hysteria, melt downs to rival the democrats when Trump won the election. Pile ons on poor Spiderboy, the rage of the Leeds defenders when he makes a mistake, as if Solomon never slipped, lost the ball that then led to a goal, or that, Ao Tanaka conceded the penalty that led to Todd Cantwell's goal for Blackburn. Everyone has a mistake in them.

Bet is was even hard to remember the Solomon, Tanaka mistakes.

Even this to shall pass. The original phrase has deep historical roots and is often used to convey the idea that no situation, good or bad, is permanent.

When we get promoted the draw with Hull will be an insignificant footnote in the annals of footballing history.

Chill Winston!!!

The difference is that players like Bogle and Firpo have since their early days shown a great deal of improvement. Wth Meslier we are still talking abut potnetial despite him having been a first team starter for 5 years. I think because he looks like a young boy still people don't realise how old he is or how experienced he is now.

Comparing mistakes with outfield players simply cannot be done as any way to justify keeping him in the team. Keepers are judged differentl as their mistakes are far more costly. As such keepers are judged against other keepers and Meslier when judged against other keepers fares poorly. I want a steady keeper who makes the routine saves. I don't want fantastic one week and sh*t the next. However Meslier falls into neither category. He doesn't make the routine saves with us often wondering, 'should he have done better.' He also doesn't have many of the superb save moments so it isn't like you forgive him the odd f*ck up because so many times he has saved our skin - he hasn't done that. If you take DeGea at MU he made quite a lot of f*ck ups but he also singlehandedly kept them in a lot of games. His outstanding saves far outwighed the mistakes.

[Cjay]

Would anyone be shocked if Farke doubled down on Meslier?

Stubborn guy Farke doesn't like to be questioned (remember his I know strikers rant regarding Piroe and Rutter).

He was calling Meslier the best in the league not long ago.

Wouldn't shock me at all if he stuck by Mes even for the cup game, saw it as an opportunity to build his confidence sort of thing.

[Tyzy]

It's too late to replace Mes,and we don't have anyone better than him so we'll have to stick with him unfortunately. What could be a temp solution is an experienced retired keeper to do some intensive training with him

[mentalcase]

Would anyone be shocked if Farke doubled down on Meslier?

Stubborn guy Farke doesn't like to be questioned (remember his I know strikers rant regarding Piroe and Rutter).

He was calling Meslier the best in the league not long ago.

Wouldn't shock me at all if he stuck by Mes even for the cup game, saw it as an opportunity to build his confidence sort of thing.

Wouldn't surprise me at all, but where does that leave Darlow !!

[Johnthewhite]

Wouldn't surprise me at all, but where does that leave Darlow !!

I know where it will leave Farke when it goes wrong (Job Club) which I am dam sure it will if he sticks with him.
No goalkeeper change, no top two, simple as that for me

[Tyzy]

I know where it will leave Farke when it goes wrong (Job Club) which I am dam sure it will if he sticks with him.
No goalkeeper change, no top two, simple as that for me

I agree but who will replace him, Darlow isn't the answer

[weasel]

Would anyone be shocked if Farke doubled down on Meslier?

Stubborn guy Farke doesn't like to be questioned (remember his I know strikers rant regarding Piroe and Rutter).

He was calling Meslier the best in the league not long ago.

Wouldn't shock me at all if he stuck by Mes even for the cup game, saw it as an opportunity to build his confidence sort of thing.

I would be very surprised. Meslier is the biggest danger, imo, to us not getting promoted. I am sure Farke would rather not risk us not getting promoted, and him likely the sack, than sticking with Meslier. Noticeable that despite the Piroe/Rutter rant he did switch them around and has also played Piroe as the 9 this season.

[BradWhite]

I think they will get in another keeper.
I guess we'll get linked with many.

Reports of talks between Leeds and River Plate over goalkeeper Jeremias "Conan" Ledesma.

[Lufcheidi]

It's too late to replace Mes,and we don't have anyone better than him so we'll have to stick with him unfortunately. What could be a temp solution is an experienced retired keeper to do some intensive training with him

We need Nigel Martin in to work with him.