OPINION
As with every other club undertaking their pre-season campaign this summer, Leeds United are looking to achieve a number of things as they prepare for the upcoming Championship season.
It has been all change behind the scenes at Elland Road, with Paul Heckingbottom being replaced by Marcelo Bielsa, meaning that as well as rebuilding fitness after their summer break, the playing squad are having to adapt to a new style of coaching – the third in 12 months for most of the side.
Despite having only seen two new names through the door this summer, and many more leaving the club, the players are also having to prove themselves to the new boss, as he decides who stays, who goes, and who will be in the first team squad when they kick off next season.
One man who is under more pressure than most is young goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, the 21-year-old the only remaining senior goalkeeper from the last campaign after Andy Lonergan and Felix Wiedwald both left.
With Jamal Blackman joining on a season-long loan from Chelsea, the 6’3″ (source: Transfermarkt) stopper, who established himself as a firm favourite after breaking into the first team, would have been hoping to prove he has what it takes with an outing against Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday evening.
Unfortunately for the youngster, he made the worst possible start during the 2-1 win.
After some poor defending from the back line in front of him, Peacock-Farrell allowed Dayle Grubb’s shot to pass through his palms with relative ease – not the sort of impression you want to make on your new manager.
It should have been an easy save to make, and there is no doubt the homegrown starlet will have wanted the ground to open up under him after seeing the ball in the back of the net.
With Blackman breathing down his neck for the first team spot, the youngster will not have many chances to shine, and errors like these almost seal his fate with a perfectionist like Bielsa in charge.