England legend Terry Butcher defended Kiko Casilla on BBC Radio 5 Live Sport after his questionable showing during Leeds United’s FA Cup exit on Sunday.
The former centre-back did acknowledge that Casilla should have done better with the second goal he conceded yesterday but insisted that he shouldn’t get ‘too much blame’ because the ball did take an ‘almighty bobble’ in front of him.
Leeds conceded three goals at League Two Crawley without a response, as it was perhaps the upset of the round and a day to well and truly forget for the Premier League outfit.
Nonetheless, Butcher shared his thoughts on Casilla’s performance and the second goal he conceded.
“Well, you have to look at Casilla in goal for Leeds because he has made a bit of a howler,” said Butcher. “He has actually put it through the legs of Casilla.
After watching the replay, Butcher then changed his mind: “Oh, well, it took an almighty bobble as well just in front of Casilla. Perhaps we shouldn’t give the goalkeeper too much of blame.
“But it sat up and then just went through his hands. It hit his chest and then went into the back of the net. It was really weird. But you [still] expect your goalkeeper to save that or get his body behind it and keep it out.”
Ever since his move from Real Madrid, Casilla has had a tough ride at Leeds and that was evident within his first few months at the club, especially that unforgettable play-off semi-final against Derby.
There is a reason why the £32k-a-week [Spotrac] is no longer Leeds’ number one, but it isn’t a surprise that he was rusty against Crawley given his lack of game time.
But then again, for a man of his experience, that shouldn’t be an excuse as youngster Illan Meslier will be expected to reclaim his spot between the sticks for the Premier League.
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