OPINION
When Leeds United secured the loan signing of Jamal Blackman from Chelsea over the summer, there was the expectation that Bailey Peacock-Farrell would drop back to the substitutes’ bench and continue to develop as a young shot stopper.
That has not been how things have worked out.
Instead, the homegrown goalkeeper has been the one to keep his place between the sticks while 25-year-old Blackman, a colossus at 6’6″ (source: Transfermarkt), has been forced to watch on from the sidelines, with fans seeing him in action in just two cup competitions.
However, the 22-year-old Championship ever present has found himself under fire from some corners of Elland Road after some shaky performances in nets, the latest error seeing him poorly positioned for Wigan’s goal in the 2-1 win for the Whites, and while Marcelo Bielsa is not going to swing the axe for the clash against West Brom, it could be that Blackman has the chance to show the boss what he can do in his rival’s absence.
The Argentine coach has revealed his plans for the squad members who are to remain at Thorpe Arch during the international break – Peacock-Farrell heading off on duty with the Northern Irish team – and it involves those rarely seen so far.
He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “In the middle of next week we will play a game against the Under-23s and we will try to make it as if it is an official game. This game will allow the players to develop the fitness of the players who don’t play a lot.
“We will pay a lot of attention to those that don’t play regularly.”
Blackman is one of the big names who has not been seen a whole lot by supporters but he has been handed the ideal chance to sink his goalkeeping counterpart by impressing in this one-off game – which could well determine his future for the rest of the season.
This is his opportunity to tear Peacock-Farrell down from the number one spot and end his time as an ever present in the Championship – he has to make sure he takes it with both hands.