Pascal Struijk sticks his neck out with touch of Leeds United leadership class in dark moment
Pascal Struijk could have stayed off social media like so many footballers during a time of anger for some supporters yet the captain has stuck his neck out for Leeds United unity
Emotions as visceral as those for Leeds United’s players watching last night’s football bobble past Illan Meslier are impossible to hide. A dozen hands reached for heads, Joe Rodon fell flat on his back and Junior Firpo was incandescent until after a full-time storm down the tunnel.
At that moment, it would have been so hard for United’s players to feel anything other than frustration with Meslier. That’s the human, understandable reaction, but the full-time reaction showed the way forward.
Pascal Struijk, Karl Darlow, Jayden Bogle, goalkeeping coach Ed Wootten and others all flocked to Meslier. There were conversations with same, a brief word with others and some just gave him a knowing tap on the side.
Everyone should know Meslier did not let that goal in on purpose, but bad bounces and bad goalkeeping happen, even in the most desperate, fatal circumstances. There is no way forward for Leeds other than with camaraderie and togetherness among the players.
