BBC pundit Aidy White has blasted one Leeds United player for his performance in the 3-3 draw against Portsmouth.
Despite only rescuing a point in the 95th minute, Leeds will have come away from the match wondering just how they did not secure all three points.
Leeds enjoyed a lightning quick start to the match as Pascal Struijk’s penalty on 11 minutes put Daniel Farke‘s side ahead after they had hit the crossbar an incredible three times before that.
Despite being in control for much of the half, Leeds actually went into the break behind as Portsmouth scored with both of their only two shots on target.
Wilfried Gnonto put Leeds back on level terms a minute after the restart and after yet more missed chances, Callum Lang had thought he’d won it with a 92nd minute penalty.
However, there was still time for drama yet, as Brenden Aaronson marked his return to the club with an equaliser, before then missing an incredible opportunity to make it 4-3.
Aidy White blasts Illan Meslier for performance in Leeds draw
Despite such a poor result, there are a few positives that can be taken, including the performance of Mateo Joseph, and the sheer number of chances created.
Leeds cannot afford to be that wasteful moving forward but ultimately, three goals should’ve been enough to win it considering how much Portsmouth were limited to.
The fault of that is predominantly at the door of Illan Meslier, whose abysmal attempt at a save for the first goal is what let Portsmouth back in it.
Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds during the match, former Whites defender White says Meslier should’ve done so much better with the opening goal, which was ‘straight at him’.
He said: “I am not a goalkeeper and shots come very powerful and very quickly. But it is straight at him. It takes a little touch off his hand if anything.
“For me, the question is can he not get better contact to try and make some sort of a save. I do think he has got to do better, and I would be surprised if anybody kind of argued against that.
Meslier a liability once again for Leeds
Statistically, Meslier was one of the worst shot-stoppers in the Championship last season and it does not look like that will be improving anytime soon.
Portsmouth scored three goals from an expected goals (xG) of just 0.89, the majority of which will have come from the penalty.
The very best goalkeepers are ones who can pull off important saves having not had much to do, yet Meslier simply does not do that.
If there is room in the budget for him to replaced, Leeds could seriously upgrade their team by signing a new goalkeeper.
