Bailey Peacock-Farrell has arguably made a couple of mistakes across Leeds United’s last two games.
Once the dust settled on Leeds’ incredible victory over Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day, many supporters quickly remembered the apparent error from Bailey Peacock-Farrell that forced Marcelo Bielsa’s side to produce the incredible turnaround that led to their win.
Peacock-Farrell failed to keep Charlie Mulgrew’s free-kick out of his net in the 90th minute despite the Rovers ace hitting his effort from a long way out and the Leeds goalkeeper getting a good hand to the ball.
The mistake came just a few days after the Northern Ireland international also faced some criticism for not stopping Conor Hourihane’s effort in the 3-2 win at Aston Villa.
The blip has left no doubt that signing a new goalkeeper in January is hugely important. Peacock-Farrell has done extremely well as the number one this term, but there have been questions asked about his form at various points throughout the campaign.
Bielsa’s loyalty to his squad would suggest that Peacock-Farrell will start this weekend against Hull City. And there is every chance that the 22-year-old will use his recent mistakes as a wake-up call and produce the kind of performance that silences a lot of his doubters.
In fact, plenty will argue that it would be the sensible option to keep faith with Peacock-Farrell while the team is enjoying such a superb run.
But perhaps Bielsa should not shut the door on handing Will Huffer a chance to impress. Huffer has made one senior appearance for Leeds, keeping a clean sheet when Peacock-Farrell was injured.
The 20-year-old did little wrong that day, and would relish getting another opportunity if it comes his way.
Almost every under-23 player that has featured for Leeds this term has stepped up, and Huffer has the potential to become the latest starlet to impress when called upon.
If nothing else, losing his place could be exactly what Peacock-Farrell needs. He was the hero against Reading after finding out that he would have been dropped had Jamal Blackman not sustained a season-ending injury.
It would probably seem unfair to drop Peacock-Farrell. And it would be a shock if he did not start against Hull. But Bielsa should perhaps consider whether a wake-up call may do him more good in the long run given his obvious quality.
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