28 Nov 2024 19:47:37
A weird one - and for the record I'm fully accepting that Meslier should be finished as a bona fide starter at leeds.
I gave up on him after Portsmouth tbh (I was a huge, huge advocate for him in his first two years) . Sunderland obviously awful and rocked him and the team's belief in him.
He even had a nervy moment in that Luton game in the first half - hesitancy where he had virtually nothing to do bailed out by Pascal. But, there was that point where he made a half decent save (finally) that wasn't quite a one-on-one against Luton - though their forward had a clear sight of goal. The fans applauded him and he got back up with just a little spring in his step, confidence returning?
He then made a few saves in the final fifteen minutes, nothing major but he kept them out, did his job.
That's not me advocating for redemption on one game but it should do wonders to boost his confidence (his teammates should be slapping his back - 'great game Illan') . It wasn't great, it was decent or fair in the 2nd half by any stretch but the first step in recovering from Sunderland is having your first meaningful contributions - however slight - since that debacle, which I believe Luton was. I bet since then he's been terrified of making another clanger and desperate to make amends, which generally has seen him become too hesitant. Allowing Luton a few shots from distance in the closing stages might have been the best thing that could have happened for him.
Like a few or more on this site if I were in DF's shoes I would have dropped him for Darlow by now. But he hasn't been so we have to back him, and for all the mistakes I definitely want the lad to succeed. Hopefully its the start of him being serviceable between now and promotion (fingers crossed) and we can address the GK position in the summer.
Its just so rare he has to make any meaningful saves and though he looked hesitant early on, he finally made a few which I hope helps him.
28 Nov 2024 20:21:47
Good post Ealing.
28 Nov 2024 20:14:07
That’s a great post Ealing. A simple and realistic evaluation. I too hope he comes good, fully bounces back, and reaches the potential we all saw in him when he first stepped up in Kiko’s stead. ??????.
28 Nov 2024 21:10:38
Good post West London. What I didn't care for with the great Pascal save action was i'm indecisive actions. He made a good approach and achieved good placement to defend a shot or cross but then goes into his shell and withdraws completely from stopping a shot or a cross. He just doesn't possess the mentality to be a very good goalkeeper right now. Might happen later in his career.
28 Nov 2024 23:53:22
I think mez howler is like missing a penalty. It happens. Move on. If he is still bothered by that then he clearly hasn’t got the mentality or maturity to start.
29 Nov 2024 03:03:38
Aus
The worst ever Mes howler for starters was wayyyyy, way worse than missing a pen
Goodison Park,2023, EPL.
Everton right full back with ball 10 yards to right of 18 yard box
With no Everton player even in his 18 yard box
Mes inexplicably decides to go complete walkabout up to near his penalty spot leaving an open goal for what he thinks a cross is coming
Everton player then simply passes ball into an unguarded net.
Doh ?.
29 Nov 2024 03:08:32
. so lacking in mentality and maturity. wise logical decision making
questionable ability.
29 Nov 2024 06:59:35
I am with Aus, missed a penalty you get dropped miss a goal your out of the team on the bench, as he said it happens, where has all the backing gone for DF now how good he is the best in this league but you you don’t trust him with the keeper mam oh man it has to be Leeds??.
29 Nov 2024 08:09:49
Of course there are better goalkeepers out there, not many though at his age and certainly not in the Championship.
From Bielsa to Farke there isn’t a coach yet that wants to replace him and I believe they all see something in Meslier that his doubters don’t.
Meslier is not the finished article and keepers don’t usually reach their prime till 29/ 30 yrs old, but patience in football is becoming an ever decreasing circle.
I believe he is on a upward trajectory after his goal took such a battering from our time in the Premiership,
our defending was the worst I've ever seen at our club mainly due to our uber pressing football tactics.
Farke now is finding a good balance to our game and one that Meslier can improve himself with.
29 Nov 2024 10:21:25
OP And what is it pray tell that you see in Mes. ie specifically his strengths AND improvements?
I asked this same question to you and Brockers last Sunday and neither of you could answer it!
29 Nov 2024 13:07:22
Whose brockets bazil.
29 Nov 2024 13:08:05
Brockers I meant. What you mean?
29 Nov 2024 13:46:57
I’m not going to share that with someone who already has a very blinkered and condemning view on Mez.
You’ve got your opinions on Meslier and I’ve got mine and that ain’t going to change Auntie Baz.
29 Nov 2024 13:47:36
The poster ' Brockley' Dame Aus
. the one who is unable to list ( even one ) any Meslier strengths let alone improvements in past 3 seasons?.
29 Nov 2024 14:03:30
Lol hmmmm classic OP ? an unintentionally hilarious post
So in othewords really you don't have any to list!
as everyone knows, even Berma agreed, that Meslier has regressed not improved in past 3 seaaons!
29 Nov 2024 17:10:58
Baz mate we all could be at fault with logic, until we can sort out the field position he will have to do, get DF out he the one picking the team????.
29 Nov 2024 17:51:40
Plenty to list but not for your very base knowledge on football, especially goalkeeping.
29 Nov 2024 17:54:12
Whitey ?.
29 Nov 2024 18:26:31
Haha give over OP
" Elighten" us OP. even just one strength/ improvement ??.
29 Nov 2024 20:34:47
OP know way on that one mate Baz knows his stuff, just like many on here.
George, Brightwhite to many to list but they know who you are so sorry . ?.
29 Nov 2024 23:41:33
Who am I Whiteman? I’d love to know.
Forgive me while I wet myself with laughter, Baz’s knowledge on football is on par with perhaps a monkey on ketamine.
God help you fella if you think he knows more than most on here.
30 Nov 2024 00:12:39
Cheers Whitey pal. Take a huge pich of salt with ole wind up merchant OP and his agendas. ?.
30 Nov 2024 12:32:59
OP now didn’t say that mate what I said he has very good knowledge like many on this site including your good self . We all see things in different ways mate.