Needless to say Kiko Cassila’s recent red card has thrown Leeds United’s promotion hopes into contention as the responsibility of a 15-year long wait falls heavily on Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
The former Real Madrid man was introduced to alleviate the immense pressure on Peacock-Farrell’s shoulders, who would have barely imagined he would be in such a position of responsibility when he returned from a short stint at fifth-tier side York City two years ago, but the Spaniard has ironically damaged Leeds United’s already flimsy automatic promotion hopes almost beyond repair.
Until now Kiko Casilla, has done a masterful job at injecting some well-needed experience into the backline at a point in the season when any form of inspiration can go a very long way.
Indeed, needless to say, his time at Real Madrid, surrounded by serial winners, helped hone in on traits you can only find in players who have accumulated serious silverware; winning three Champions League titles and one domestic cup is as much about the mental side of the game as it is the football, after all.
And that is exactly why it was essential he was the one to stand between the sticks heading into the business end of the season, as opposed to the unexposed 22-year-old Peacock-Farrell.
With their shaky keeper in goal, Leeds will have to face Millwall at the end of the month, before travelling to Birmingham who, until recently, would have been considered a fairly easy fixture; however, due to their recent nine-point deduction for breaching EFL rules, they now find themselves in a relegation dogfight near the bottom of the table and will surely be pumped up on the day.
Preston North End will might prove to be the ‘simplest’ task, but even then, the form of Peacock-Farrell is hardly inspiring.
Leeds United fans, do you think Kiko Casilla’s red card has derailed your promotion hopes? Let us know in the comments below…
