Leeds boss Farke backs keeper Meslier

Illan Meslier has made 187 league appearances for Leeds United

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has given his support to goalkeeper Illan Meslier following criticism he received after the 3-3 draw at Hull City on Saturday.

The 24-year-old was lobbed from outside the area for the Tigers' first goal and then misjudged a header which hit the crossbar and was converted on the rebound for their second.

The Frenchman also made notable errors in the draws at Sunderland and Preston in the Championship earlier this season.

"It's fair to say he had a poor game against Hull and his mistake for the second goal was decisive," Farke told BBC Radio Leeds.

"There were a few games where he could have and should have done better. There were perhaps one or two strikes where you would expect a player of his calibre could save it when he is on the top of his game.

"I spoke with Illan about this and although he has had many clean sheets and many good saves he could show this with more consistency. It's important to be honest and open."

Farke issued a reminder of how impressive Meslier's stats were.

"On the other hand, we can not forget what we have here. He is a 24-year-old man who is quite self-critical and he was disappointed with his last performance," the German added.

"He came here more or less as a teenager and has been loyal to the club even when there has been interest in him. He is highly-rated in the football world and has more than 200 games for us already.

"He was named as the best goalkeeper in the Championship last season, named by a neutral panel. He has kept 14 clean sheets so far this season and we are top of the table.

"It's important to be honest about what he can improve but also to back him."

According to Opta, Meslier is 14th out of the 24 goalkeepers to have played over 1,000 minutes in the Championship this season for goals prevented.

Excluding own goals, the former Lorient man has conceded 17 goals from 16.7 expected goals on target.

'I manage Leeds United, not Leeds divided'

Farke confirmed that second-choice goalkeeper Karl Darlow would start Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie against League Two Harrogate to give Meslier a rest after a busy period.

However, with the Whites two points clear at the top of the Championship table, he said it would be "mad" to think about making a long-term change in goal.

"I have signed a contract here to manage Leeds United, not Leeds divided," he added.

"I was angry after the last game, we all were, and our supporters have the right to be critical. It's fair and Illan has to get on with it, that's quite normal.

"But I get the feeling from the outside world that there were some comments from pundits that were pretty disrespectful for his CV and what he has done for this club so far.

"I will always be there to back my players. The outside world they love to try to divide us, the old song is Leeds are falling apart, no, no we are pretty close together.

"It would be a sign of madness to think about making a change. We would be the only club in the whole history of football to be top of the table after 60% of games, who is eight games unbeaten, more points than anyone else over the festive period and then we panic about our highly-rated number one?

"We all back him. If the outside world hopes we will crumble, it wont happen."