Leeds drew 1-1 with West Brom on New Year’s Day, but they could have taken all three points if it wasn’t for an error from Kiko Casilla.
The Spanish goalkeeper has earnt plaudits from supporters for his good performances this season, but those showings have waned in recent weeks.
Casilla’s poor form
Unfortunately, the error against West Brom wasn’t his only howler lately.
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The former Real Madrid man failed to properly clear a ball against Birmingham allowing Lukas Jutkiewicz to equalise. Furthermore, against the Blues, he conceded every shot on target the St Andrew’s outfit had against him.
If we’re being honest, conceding 11 goals in five games for the side that had the best defence in the league before that run is simply unacceptable form, and it could be time for Bielsa to pre-emptively make a switch between the sticks.
Time for Meslier
Leeds may be forced into giving the rarely-seen Illan Meslier a chance in the coming weeks as Casilla is still staring a minimum six-game ban in the face, but perhaps he should make the change before it’s forced upon him.
Giving the Frenchman an opportunity in the coming weeks might be a gamble but it would take the shaky Casilla out of the firing line. However, it might also give Meslier the confidence boost he needs if the Spaniard is banned.
On the other hand, it could be the wakeup call Casilla needs to rediscover the form that had fans waxing lyrical about him earlier this season.
It’s certainly a switch that Bielsa should consider due to the fact it could have a positive impact in more than one way.
Yet, with promotion still very much on the line, the Frenchman would be thrown in at the deep end. Since arriving from Lorient, he is still yet to play a single minute for the senior side so it would be a huge show of faith if he was picked.
In other news, our writers have been weighing up whether or not Billy Sharp would be a good signing for Leeds.
