Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson has outlined that while Kiko Casilla is in a desperate run of form, Marcelo Bielsa should stick with him in the coming games.

The Whites are in a wretched run of form at the minute, winning just once in 2020 and scoring only three goals, all coming in the victory over Millwall last week.

The most recent game was another in this bad run as Wigan Athletic were the latest to take points off Marcelo Bielsa’s promotion hopefuls, with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Elland Road on Saturday, thanks to a goal that has been credited as a Pablo Hernandez own goal.

With neither side really testing the ‘keepers, Joe Williams’ deflected corner looped over Kiko Casilla’s head and into the far corner, much to the bemusement of everyone affiliated with the Whites, who believed he could have done much more to stop the ball going in.

Speaking to MOT Leeds News, former Leeds ‘keeper Paul Robinson reflected on the Spaniard’s recent form, acknowledging that Bielsa’s hands are tied in this situation, and shouldn’t drop him for Illan Meslier. He stated (when asked if Meslier should replace him): “No. I do not think so . Kiko is not playing well at the moment.

“At the start of the season, you could see he worked hard at his game and his decision making. He is having a dip at the moment but for his age and experience, it is key that the manager sticks with him. It is not a time to take chances or gamble. Meslier played one game and did okay.

“The Wigan goal came from a high ball that Casilla should have dealt with from a routine corner and he was far from convincing but it does not affect him. He continues to come for the ball. At times his decision making is wrong but it does not affect his confidence, which is a huge positive.”

Casilla’s inability to deal with set-pieces has been a problem all through the season and Leeds’ next opponents are Nottingham Forest, a side who scrambled an equaliser in at Elland Road from a corner last time out.

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The verdict

Robinson is right here, in that Casilla shouldn’t be dropped immediately on the back of a few mistakes.

If Bielsa was to drop Casilla on the basis of his current form, then he would have to look at dropping more or less half of the team that are playing below the very high standards set.

Casilla needs to improve and there is no questioning that his performances are a big reason for Leeds leaking more goals than they should, but problems run much deeper than him not being able to clear a corner.

As Leeds prepare to face Forest, Casilla will remain focused to ensure these mistakes don’t become a regular occurrence.