Ian Wright was critical of Illan Meslier’s ‘poor’ goalkeeping during Leeds United’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle on Saturday, as he told PL Productions (22/01/22 at 5:10 pm)
Leeds were beaten by a Jonjo Shelvey free-kick late in the second half and Wright put it down to a ‘mistake’ from the man between the sticks.
The Newcastle midfielder didn’t go over the wall, but instead, around it because of how close he was to the goal.
There’s no doubt that Meslier would have been kicking himself after the game because it ended up costing his team the points.
Given the position of the free-kick, Wright shared that the Leeds shot-stopper should have ‘no reason’ to think Shelvey was going to go up and over the wall.
“This is a poor goalkeeping error, for me,” said Wright. “I think from where that wall is, I don’t think he is getting that up and over.
“So, the goalkeeper’s side. He has to be strong on that side. People are saying ‘is this offside? Did he interfere?’ He’s onside and there was no touch.
“But I think the goalkeeper, he has no reason to think that can go up and over that side of the wall.
“It’s a goalkeeping mistake. And, at this stage, with Newcastle where they are. They will take anything.”
That’s Newcastle and Norwich winning in the last 48 hours, which adds a bit more spice to this relegation dogfight.
Leeds will feel they have a cushion on the teams below them, but given their injuries and indifferent form at times, they are certainly still in this battle.
Even someone like Everton, who sacked Rafa Benitez last week and lost to Aston Villa on Saturday, will feel they are in dangerous territory.
But, for Leeds, with their best players to come back from injury during the business end of the season, they will feel that they will have enough to secure their status in England’s top-flight for another campaign.
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