Jonny Buchan suggested that Leeds United may struggle to acknowledge whether Illan Meslier’s late error in the 2-2 draw against Sunderland was influenced by a head injury he sustained earlier in the match. Meslier’s mistake came in stoppage time, allowing Sunderland to equalize in what was a dramatic finish. After the game, there was a sense of sympathy for Meslier, with teammates and coaching staff rallying around him.

BBC Leeds journalist Jonny Buchan, speaking on *Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet* on 7 October, suggested that something unusual occurred with Illan Meslier during the game against Sunderland. He speculated that it was more than just a lapse in concentration that led to Meslier allowing a seemingly harmless ball to slip past him in the 97th minute. While Buchan dismissed the accidental knee to Meslier’s head as a potential cause, he acknowledged that Leeds would likely keep quiet about any concussion concerns to avoid admitting they kept a concussed player on the pitch.

Buchan emphasized that Illan Meslier is not a “terrible keeper” and that there was no widespread concern when the ball was heading towards him. He contrasted Meslier with former goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, noting that he doesn’t evoke the same sense of anxiety when handling back passes. Buchan’s comments reflect confidence in Meslier’s abilities, suggesting that his late error was out of character for him.

Buchan acknowledged that while Illan Meslier’s error is ultimately his responsibility, it seems likely that “something strange happened” during the match. He speculated that Meslier might have taken his eye off the ball, but also mentioned the unusual spin that contributed to the mistake. Buchan raised concerns about Meslier’s earlier head knock, noting that the club would be hesitant to admit this as it would imply they allowed a concussed player to continue.