Noel Whelan reacts to Illan Meslier’s display in Leeds win

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Noel Whelan has told BBC Radio Leeds (broadcast on 29/2; 14:31) that Illan Meslier was fantastic on his league debut for Leeds United, and praised the defenders for the protection they gave him.

Meslier would have only been aware that he was going to play against Hull City on Friday night as it was announced that Kiko Casilla had been banned for eight games.

Leeds fans had had a taste of what the youngster is capable of in January. Meslier was outstanding during the Whites’ FA Cup defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates.

It was a tough start for the 19-year-old. A couple of passes went out for a throw-in. But he grew into the game and looked much more confident as the contest wore on.

He looked comfortable claiming balls in the air. And his handling was good when he was called upon as Leeds dominated the contest.

Whelan felt that Meslier could be extremely pleased with his league bow for the promotion-chasers. But he also suggested that those in front of him deserve credit for making his day easier.

“Fantastic. To come in, your first start in the Championship, making your debut away from home, he didn’t really do anything wrong,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.

“He wasn’t really involved in a lot because of the way we defended with the players in front of him, protection that he got. And that is exactly what he needed, that kind of protection, having not that much to do.

“That will give him great confidence leading into the next games. He knows he’s there for seven. That’s a good way to start.”

Meslier deserves enormous credit for doing little wrong. It cannot have been easy. While he may have been aware for some time that he may be needed at some stage if Casilla received a ban, he was left with little time to prepare for Saturday’s game.

So it will leave him with enormous confidence that he did keep a clean sheet and Leeds stormed to such an emphatic win.

And perhaps he can now focus on performing to a level in the next seven games that leaves Bielsa with no choice but to keep him between the sticks beyond Casilla’s ban.