Here are your Leeds United evening headlines on Wednesday, March 16.
Meslier praises Lloris
Illan Meslier has outlined that Hugo Lloris is his inspiration and has praised the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper for the impact he has had since his move to the Premier League. Lloris has been one of the best goalkeepers in the world for over a decade now, having won the World Cup with France and a whole host of different individual awards at Spurs.
He has played over 400 matches during his time at Tottenham, while Meslier is edging towards the 100 appearance mark at Leeds, where he has become one of the most talented young goalkeepers in Europe. However, the Leeds shot-stopper has been impressed with Lloris' consistency over the years.
READ MORE: Jamie Carragher outlines the 'huge' importance of Leeds United's win over Norwich City
Speaking on the Premier League’s YouTube channel, he said: "I would choose Hugo Lloris, he’s been at Tottenham for almost 10 years, which is nice. He’s been under so many managers and he’s still in the goal and the number one in the French team.
"I keep watching his game because he’s a good inspiration. He’s a very good goalkeeper on the line and he has brilliant reflexes."
James called up for Wales
Leeds United winger Daniel James has become the latest Whites player to be called up by their national team after being named in the Wales squad for their upcoming World Cup play-off match. Rob Page’s side are set to face Austria next Thursday at the Cardiff City Stadium in a one-legged semi-final.
The winner of that tie are set to face either Scotland or Ukraine in the final of that play-off section, however due to the ongoing invasion of the latter by Russia, that match has been postponed, with no date having yet been rescheduled. Wales finished second in their World Cup qualification group behind only Belgium, pipping Czech Republic to a play-off position by just one point.
James played a crucial role in helping Wales secure their passage into the semi-finals, playing 90 minutes in all but one of their eight group matches. The 24-year-old netted goals in both the home and away fixtures against the Czech Republic, including the only goal in a crucial 1-0 win during the game on home soil.
Read more here.
Neville makes Leeds claim
Gary Neville believes that Watford have a bigger chance of staying in the Premier League than Leeds United despite the Whites' 2-1 victory over Norwich City on Sunday afternoon. Jesse Marsch earned his first win in charge thanks to Joe Gelhardt's 94th-minute winner, sparking jubilant scenes at Elland Road.
It was a result that moved Leeds four points clear of the relegation zone heading into the final nine matches of the season. Meanwhile, Watford also secured a huge win in their pursuit of survival after beating Southampton 2-1. Cucho Hernandez's double proved to be the difference as the Hornets leapfrogged Burnley and level on points with 17th-place Everton, who suffered a 1-0 defeat against Wolves.
However, there is still four points between Leeds and Watford but the sides do meet on April 9, which could be a pivotal game in the battle to stay in the top-flight. The two teams have also played the same amount of matches, while Everton and Burnley have games in hand on their rivals.
Although Leeds currently sit above Watford in the table, Neville has claimed he would have more faith in the Hornets to stay up given the experience that Roy Hodgson has in the relegation battle.
Speaking on Monday Night Football, he said: "I still think they are in a bit of trouble. I watched them against Aston Villa on Thursday night and I thought they were awful.
"Norwich are the worst team in the league by a long way. I still think they are in big trouble, I didn't see the game against Norwich at the weekend, so I am talking without seeing that. But I am talking about what I saw against Villa.
"I would have more faith in Watford at the moment because of the experience of the manager. It's a terrific win at Southampton, it really is.
"When I saw it coming through, it's a big one for Watford. Sometimes you think of a team when you watch them one week and you think they're out of out, then another week they go and get a result. Watford have something about them and they have got a manager with experience.
"Part of me things they have more of a chance of staying in the league (than Leeds), just because of the know-how and the experience. Also, they have less riding on it. Leeds' pressure is massive, whereas the Watford pressure isn't as big."
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