‘Fantastic’: Sacked rival coach says one Leeds player is so ‘consistent’

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Neil Cutler has raved about Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier on Ben Foster’s YouTube channel.

The former Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper coach has said that Meslier is “fantastic”.

Cutler, who was let go by Villa earlier this season following the sacking of Steven Gerrard as the manager, has praised Leeds goalkeeper Meslier for his consistency.

The former Villa goalkeeper coach, though, has said that the 22-year-old will learn from the mistake that he made against Everton at the weekend.

Meslier could not keep out Seamus Coleman’s effort during the Premier League match between Everton and Leeds at Goodison Park this past weekend.

While Coleman’s effort did catch Meslier by surprise and it came from a very high angle, perhaps the French youngster should have anticipated it and should have been better with his positioning.

Leeds lost the match 1-0 and remain in real danger of getting relegated from the Premier League to the Championship at the end of the season.

Former Villa striker Darren Bent has criticised Meslier for his mistake, and so has ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Foster.

Reaction to Illan Meslier mistake for Leeds United

Cutler said: “Meslier has been consistent you know. I really like it. For a young kid, he has been fantastic and I think he will learn from that.”

Foster said, as transcribed by Leeds United News: “It’s still a mistake actually, it is.

As a goalie, I would be coming in at half-time or full-time, and I’d be going, ‘Sorry lads, I messed up there, I shouldn’t do that’.

“Because first and foremost, like you say, you have to protect the goal. You can’t just let him stick it in there.”

Bent said on talkSPORT, as transcribed by TBR: “Andy….that is the worst bit of goalkeeping.

“I get it, but why are you standing on the edge of your six yard box? Get on your line. It’s not an unbelievable finish.

“If you’re in training and you do a little challenge without it hitting the back of the net, unbelievable.

“But when the goalkeeper’s meant to be in the goal, and you get beat with that. I mean Seamus Coleman, I know what’s happening.

“He’s seen the space and thought I’ll just welly it as hard as I can. He’s gone to hit it in the area as hard as he can and hope it hits someone.”