Daniel Farke says Leeds United player is ‘world class’ but could have been better at Norwich City

But on Sunday he dropped Archie Gray into a No.10 role behind Georginio Rutter in place of Joel Piroe and made Leeds look much more solid, resulting in just a second clean sheet in Leeds’ last nine games .

Illan Meslier recorded his 20th shutout of the league after 19 in the regular season, earning the league’s Gold Glove. The Frenchman didn’t have to make any crucial saves, but he got the job done.

That’s despite Joe Rodon being frustrated with Meslier’s distribution from the back, a constant source of criticism about the £5million man from fans, and Farke has now had his say on the goalkeeper.

Here’s what Farke had to say about Meslier after the 0-0 draw with Norwich:

Farke says Illan Meslier is world class but could have been better

Ultimately, a goalkeeper is there to bring home the clean sheet and make the save, and Meslier did his job on Sunday, playing his part in stopping Norwich and avoiding defeat when it mattered more than ever.

Meslier is a top-class goalkeeper and it must be remembered that the French ace is still only 24, having made 173 appearances for The Whites. In that time, he cashed in 50 clean sheets after Sunday afternoon.

According to Leeds Live, this is what Farke said: “When a goalkeeper goes back to the dressing room with a clean sheet, he is world class, his main job. We always talk. I like to use the porter in preparation.

“The main task is to make sure we are there with a lot of clean sheets. Clean sheet today, happy with it. A few decisions on the ball could have been a little better today. At least that was my feeling,” Farke said.

David Wagner gives an update on the Norwich duo ahead of Thursday

Norwich manager Wagner provided an injury update on two crucial forwards after Sunday’s 0-0 draw. Norwich’s 16-goal star Josh Sargent was forced off the field with an ankle sprain.

Ashley Barnes played his part for Norwich after joining from Burnley but the veteran was absent on Sunday and Wagner provided an update on both Sargent and Barnes ahead of the second leg at Elland Road.

The German manager says he doesn’t think Sargent’s injury will be a big problem and he should be fine for Thursday. But for Barnes, his calf strain could mean he misses the trip to Yorkshire.

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