Leeds United’s unbeaten run in the Championship campaign of 2018/19 came to an end last weekend as we faced former manager Garry Monk and his new Birmingham City side.
Leeds dominated the game at Elland Road but just couldn’t find the correct way to test their goalkeeper and even Ezgjan Alioski’s 85th-minute goal didn’t spark the comeback fans wanted to see. Ultimately, Che Adams’ first-half brace was enough to secure the points on the day but one talking point that stood out from the game was the performance of goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Both goals he conceded on the day can be called soft and there’s no hiding from that, he was sluggish in his movement and arguably was positioning is wrong – but I presume, he didn’t expect the first shot to come in that uncleanly from outside of the box and his sight was arguably blocked. The second was, however, very poor and he should’ve been down quicker.
With BPF already having his critics the reaction from some on social media probably doesn’t come as a surprise.
This is why we should play Blackman #lufc
— Luke George (@MrGeorgeLuke) September 22, 2018
Time for Blackman to get his chance before we destroy BPF #lufc
— Josh (@Joshwatkins92) September 22, 2018
BPF handing the next start to Blackman. #lufc
— MG (@TheMichaelGale) September 22, 2018
Is that ANOTHER Peacock Farrell mistake costing Leeds a goal?
WHY do we keep playing him just because he’s young when we’ve got Blackman on the bench? Fed up of him making mistakes every single week. We’re not going up with him in goal. #lufc
— Bealo (@bealolufc) September 22, 2018
Blackman HAS to start next game!! #lufc
— Will Beedham (@beedy92) September 22, 2018
Get Blackman in Peacock-Farrell isn't good enough #lufc
— Scott Dickinson (@ScottDickinson2) September 22, 2018
Imagine a team thats top of the league after losing its first league game of the season dropping its keeper ????????????????♂️
— Simon Williams (@DwelsSimon) September 22, 2018
Dont care what you think time for Blackman to start #lufc
— Dan Berry (@DanielB466) September 22, 2018
4 goals he should've stopped now this season. Teams serious about promotion can't have that. He is young and will learn by making mistakes but we can't afford that I'm afraid.
— James Walton (@james77walton) September 23, 2018
Having rewatched the goals we conceded, I actually think BPF should have saved both. Personally I'd take him out of the starting eleven for a bit and give Blackman a go. #lufc
— zz9zsa (@zz9zsa) September 23, 2018
Said it before. BPF is very average. He’s not been tested yet. The defence has been that good. Blackman for me all day long
— Stuart Kirk (@Stuart_Kirk) September 22, 2018
I think it’s a harsh summation and I don’t imagine manager Marcelo Bielsa will make a decision based on that showing – he’s not that reactionary and fans have the right to be when tempers and disappointment are high.