Noel Whelan has pointed to ‘huge’ mistakes made by Leeds goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell and said that they could cost the club as they battle for promotion out of the Championship.
The BBC pundit was talking to Sporting Life after Peacock-Farrell made another high-profile mistake in the 4-1 defeat to West Brom.
It was the latest in a string of gaffes by the keeper that has seen him attract criticism from the fans.
“It was another huge mistake by Bailey Peacock-Farrell,” Whelan said.
“He face-planted his dish straight into the grass afterwards. He knew he shouldn’t have conceded a goal like that when you’re still in the game. And it was a great reaction from Leeds. But he’s an international goalkeeper, [Jamaal] Blackman isn’t. He’s kept him out so far.”
Asked about the effect that dropping him would have on the player, Whelan said, “You’ve got to tread carefully. You go back to the players and their mental toughness. He’s got to go on international duty and Blackman will be sat there thinking, ‘This is my chance, it’s another mistake’
“But, realistically, would either be your first-choice goalkeepers that are going to get you in the Premier League? Probably not. These mistakes could cost Leeds.”
?? @NoelDavidWhelan's thoughts on #LUFC, Bailey Peacock-Farrell and more
Hear them all by clicking the link below ?
— Sport on Sporting Life (@SLSport_) November 14, 2018
OPINION
Leeds aren’t the favourites to win the title anymore and at 7/2 you could still make some decent money if they end up topping the pile. At evens, they’re a much better proposition for promotion according to Sporting Life, but cracks are beginning to appear after a brilliant start to the season. In fairness, every team goes through them and Leeds were unlikely to lead from the front and hold onto an automatic promotion spot all the way to the end of the season. However, Peacock-Farrell is coming increasingly under the spotlight and you wonder how many more mistakes he can make before Bielsa tries something new. He doesn’t seem keen on Jamaal Blackman either but Chelsea would be within their rights to enquire as to why Blackman isn’t getting a look-in with Peacock-Farrell making so many mistakes. Whelan seems to think they’d be better going back in for another first-choice goalkeeper in January, although that seems highly unlikely.