Leeds supervisor Sam Allardyce claimed that the ‘largest choice’ he has to make forward of his first match in cost towards Manchester City is whether or not to proceed beginning out-of-form goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
The Frenchman has had a checkered season however criticisms of Meslier have gathered pace in mild of the keeper conceding a mammoth 18 targets in Leeds’ final 5 matches.
Leeds at present sit only one place above the relegation zone in seventeenth and stage on factors with 18th-placed Nottingham Forest.
Allardyce has been drafted in to spearhead the Yorkshire outfit’s marketing campaign to remain up with simply 4 matches left to play following the shock sacking of Javi Gracia on his birthday on Monday.
However amidst the myriad completely different concerns that Allardyce should take into accout as he prepares his crew to face a ferocious Metropolis aspect, the veteran coach said that the Meslier situation is his most difficult.
![Meslier has had a rocky season in Yorkshire](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/05/11/70613431-12050499-image-m-82_1683284294158.jpg)
Sam Allardyce faces a giant choice over whether or not to maintain Illan Meslier in Leeds’ beginning XI
![The Frenchman has conceded the highest number of goals in the Premier League this season – and his total of 67 is 11 goals clear of Southampton's Gavin Bazunu in second place](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/05/13/70614175-12050499-The_Frenchman_has_conceded_the_highest_number_of_goals_in_the_Pr-a-1_1683289260393.jpg)
The Frenchman has conceded the very best variety of targets within the Premier League this season – and his whole of 67 is 11 targets away from Southampton’s Gavin Bazunu in second place
‘I do not ever see an issue in coaching as a result of there is no actual stress there like there’s in a sport,’ Allardyce started on Friday as he met with the press.
‘There’s the goalkeeper coach working with [Meslier], there’s nothing you may see to recommend or say something aside from you have a look at him and like all of the keepers do collectively, he goes via the routine.
‘There are a bit daft, a bit mad aren’t they, as a result of they love doing what they do. If you happen to did that for an outfield participant they’d get actually bored however goalkeepers adore it they usually’re a proper good pack collectively.
‘They’re like slightly household of their very own and that can assist him hopefully however that for me lies to be most likely the most important choice I’ve to make at the moment.’
Leeds’ second choice, Joel Robles, is but to start out a Premier League match, and has solely garnered 4 appearances this season.
The Spanish shot-stopper joined the membership on a free switch over the summer season from Actual Betis, and beforehand featured at Everton, Atletico Madrid, and Wigan, the place he gained the FA Cup in 2013.
The 68-year-old coach might resolve to name upon the Spaniard’s appreciable expertise to regular the ship between the sticks.
![Joel Robles joined the club from Real Betis but is yet to record a Premier League start for Leeds](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/05/13/70614185-12050499-Joel_Robles_joined_the_club_from_Real_Betis_but_is_yet_to_record-a-2_1683289260395.jpg)
Joel Robles joined the membership from Actual Betis however is but to file a Premier League begin for Leeds
The previous Bolton Wanderers and West Ham supervisor was happier discussing the moment affect he believes he has felt upon his transfer to Elland Highway.
‘When it comes to response, I could not be any extra happy concerning the reality the gamers have aired their views, which is essential for me about learn how to go ahead,’ he continued.
‘We have now put a plan collectively concerning the large activity we’ve got in entrance of us and analysed the easiest way we will play on Saturday and listening to the workers about how finest the gamers play in what positions.
‘We have now fashioned an concept and can inform them the beginning XI this morning and will probably be on the pitch to do the ultimate bits and items earlier than we get off to Manchester.’
Metropolis arguably current the hardest check within the Premier League because of the white-hot kind that has seen Pep Guardiola’s aspect win their final 15 matches throughout all competitions.
Against this Gracia’s Financial institution Vacation sacking was prompted by Leeds current drop-off in high quality that has seen them win solely one among their final six video games.
Allardyce’s main focus has been to raise the temper amidst the turblency and has arrange his crew – which incorporates former Leeds striker Robbie Keane – to make sure that confidence points are redressed and ‘doom and gloom’ is banished.
‘I’ve tried to lighten the coaching considerably – there’s no one higher than Robbie Keane for that, by the way in which,’ the supervisor added.
‘He has bought in amongst the gamers. He has joined in and executed a little bit of teaching with them.
![Javi Gracia took over from Jesse Marsch in February but only lasted two and a half months](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/05/13/70614195-12050499-Javi_Gracia_took_over_from_Jesse_Marsch_in_February_but_only_las-a-3_1683289260399.jpg)
Javi Gracia took over from Jesse Marsch in February however solely lasted two and a half months
![Allardyce is hoping to keep spirits high at Thorp Arch ahead of a tough test against Man City](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/05/13/70614189-12050499-Allardyce_is_hoping_to_keep_spirits_high_at_Thorp_Arch_ahead_of_-a-4_1683289260403.jpg)
Allardyce is hoping to maintain spirits excessive at Thorp Arch forward of a troublesome check towards Man Metropolis
‘We have now bought Karl [Robinson], who is similar, so we’ve got created a little bit of an environment in the way in which we prefer to work – making the coaching floor a pleasant place to return to.
‘That does not really feel like that with the outcomes Leeds have had not too long ago. It has been a bit doom and gloom and we’ve got to attempt to raise that.
‘We are able to try this to a sure diploma, however the one manner we raise that in the long run is to start out getting the outcomes.
‘We have now to attempt to do this beginning on Saturday as a result of there are solely 4 video games left to attempt to survive within the Premier League.’