Phil Thompson shared that Leeds goalkeeper Kiko Casilla worried him at times during the 2-1 win over Rotherham on Saturday.
The 32-year-old goalkeeper was making his debut for Leeds during that match after joining from Real Madrid recently and Thompson did express some concern over the shot-stopper’s first-team debut.
Thompson pointed out that overall he thought Casilla did alright for his debut but that the veteran did worry him a little bit especially when he came charging out to the edge of his box on one occasion.
“He done alright, worried me a little bit,” said Thompson on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday (Saturday January 26th, 17:20).
“Merse was watching one time and the ball came in the box and he was nearly on the edge of his box, he came for it to try and get it, he was so out of his comfort zone there and he reached over a bunch of players but he got away with it.
“As you could see there was nothing he go about the goal and as for the rest of it, he got away with it.”
OPINION
Thompson was perhaps a little harsh to express his concerns over Casilla as it was only one moment of madness that would have had Leeds fans ready to jump behind the sofa. The shot-stopper could do nothing about Semi Ajayi’s opening goal as it was basically unstoppable and it will be interesting to see Casilla build on his debut as a result. Leeds knew at the start of the January that they needed to bring in an experienced and reliable keeper to help their promotion push in the second half of the season, and that’s exactly what they’ve done with the 32-year-old. Leeds were linked with many names through their hunt for a new keeper so for the sake of them, hopefully Thompson is wrong to share any form of worry about Casilla’s debut display. Then again even though the veteran is vastly experienced, perhaps even he was a tad nervous making his debut and it affected him during his moment of madness.