Leeds fans were understandably excited when Kiko Casilla signed for them from Real Madrid last January.
Felix Wiedwald had flopped and they weren’t convinced Bailey Peacock-Farrell was the answer in goal.
Casilla was installed as the new number one but made a catalog of mistakes, culminating in a catastrophic error that let Derby back into the play-off semi-final when Leeds were 2-0 up and cruising three-quarters of the way through a two-legged tie.
Casilla was slammed by an array of pundits, including legend Johnny Giles and Sky Sports’ David Prutton after the game.
It looked like he might be leaving over the summer, with Alan Nixon, the Sun’s transfer expert, saying he was set for a move back to Spain.
However, he stayed and he’s been much better this season. He averaged a rating of 6.3 from WhoScored last season and has increased that to 6.97 this season, with an 8.33 score against Barnsley on Sunday.
Leeds fans were right to be impressed with their keeper and took to Twitter to react:
https://twitter.com/TSSALUFC/status/1173270204085878787
https://twitter.com/LukeFazz24_/status/1173241566019936257
One fan asked what Casilla had to do to make fans stop criticising him.
It’s tough being a keeper and you’re only ever one mistake away from getting the fans on your back. They’ll remember a big error over countless world-class saves.
The fact Casilla made his biggest mistake in the biggest game in the recent history of Leeds means that some are still finding it hard to forgive him. But, if he keeps on putting in 8+ performances, he will win them all over.
https://twitter.com/TotallyLeeds/status/1173237738134482949
Kiko Casilla is a class above. What a performance ? #lufc
— Dwayne (@D4yneBrad) September 15, 2019
Can we just talk about Kiko. So much hate for him through the summer (criticism deserved but was a bit too much what people were saying) but he’s come on leaps and bounds this season so far. Brilliant to watch and he’s actually performing well #LUFC pic.twitter.com/XcofAKclN2
— LUFC IMHO (@LUFC_IMHO) September 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/LFZTWEETS/status/1173343088061878273
Some Leeds fan accounts awarded him the man of the match after he made six saves, including four from inside the box [LUFCDATA]. WhoScored gave that accolade to Kalvin Phillips with an 8.4 rating, but it was very close.
Kiko was top drawer today, maybe now we see the reason he was playing for the biggest club in Europe last season! #MOT #LUFC
— Dylan Turner ?? (@dylanturner58) September 15, 2019
thought kiko today was superb, 1st game of the season he looked a little bit shaky on crosses and coming of his line to much, but since then he’s been solid, he’s no starting to show he’s one the best GK in the league for me now #lufc
— Sim (@1simmo1) September 15, 2019
The only question mark I had at start of season was about our defense.. But conceding 3 goals in 7 games is phenomenal and kiko looks as calm as ever. This really seems like it could be it? ??#lufc #mot
— Terence O Connor (@TerenceLUFC) September 15, 2019
Leeds have only conceded three goals in seven Championship games, which is a phenomenal statistic. Four clean sheets is partly down to solid defending from Ben White and Liam Cooper, but Casilla has to take a lot of credit for the Barnsley win.
He faced seven shots from Barnsley, more than double any other game in the Championship this season, and made five reflex saves [WyScout].
https://twitter.com/daveytom66/status/1173242465291243520