OPINION
Many thought that Leeds United had committed a masterstroke when they let Rob Green go last summer and replaced him with Werder Bremen stopper Felix Wiedwald.
The 27-year-old had vast experience in the Bundesliga, and had helped Bremen to an impressive eighth-placed finish in the previous season.
Green on the other hand looked to be on his way out, the former England international was 37 years old and approaching the end of his career.
And, while his move up to the Premier League with Huddersfield has not worked out at all, neither has Wiedwald’s to Leeds.
The 27-year-old German goalkeeper has been a liability all season, and his mistakes may well end up costing the Whites a place in the play-offs.
His latest blunder, coming against Middlesbrough on Friday evening, cost Leeds a possible result in a crucial match against promotion rivals.
And now, ahead of their clash with Wolves on Wednesday, Paul Heckingbottom has honestly admitted that there is a possibility he will give young stopper Bailey Peacock-Farrell a chance between the sticks.
Heckingbottom was speaking in the pre-match press conference, and his comments were reported by Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Phil Hay on Twitter.
PH on Wiedwald: "I've been really fair with the goalkeepers. It's important you back them." Lonergan hasn't been fit. Said it was "possible" he could give Peacock-Farrell a go at some stage. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) March 5, 2018
Heckingbottom must not let these words become meaningless.
He must give Peacock-Farrell a chance in goal for Leeds at some point soon, because Wiedwald is simply not good enough and must be axed.
Middlesbrough’s second goal on Tuesday was all Wiedwald’s fault, with the German inexplicably allowing a low Patrick Bamford shot under him to take the game away from Leeds.
While the Whites were admittedly behind at the time, the second goal essentially killed off the game as a contest, and if it was avoided would have allowed them the chance to get back into proceedings.
Such occurrences have been all too common this season with Wiedwald, and Peacock-Farrell must be given the chance to impress soon.
Second-choice Andy Lonergan is injured at the moment, but that is nevertheless irrelevant as the veteran hardly offers a better choice for Leeds.
Peacock-Farrell is highly-rated among the Leeds hierarchy, and has been tipped as a future first-team star for a while.
His time will need to come soon, and the club have little to lose as they head into the next few weeks.
Now is the perfect time to blood Peacock-Farrell into the first-team, and see what he can do at the top level.
One thing is for sure, it can’t be much worse than what Wiedwald has to offer.