Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: UK Redsox on January 05, 2017, 12:31:23 PM
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Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has joined Championship play-off hopefuls Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season.
It is the 23-year-old's eighth loan move away from Old Trafford.
He has previously been at Scunthorpe United, Walsall, Yeovil, Doncaster Rovers (twice) and his home town club Preston (twice).
Johnstone was part of Preston 's promotion-winning team to the Championship in 2014-15.
He is the first signing made by Villa boss Steve Bruce.
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annnnnnnddddddd strettttttttttttch
(https://d16b4kgyytl7c7.cloudfront.net/~/media/JohnstoneMain1.ashx?h=720&la=en&mw=1280&w=1280&vs=1&d=20170105T114247Z&hash=5C405CFBDC83608AE66A838589869A83FCB7568F)
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Is he going to be first choice then?
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https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2017/01/05/breaking-news-villa-sign-johnstone
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Is he going to be first choice then?
I am guessing so as no point in United loaning him out for him to warm the bench - surely has to be better than Bunn?
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I think he was guaranteed game time as part of the deal, makes you wonder if that's Gollini off now.
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Welcome to Villa, St Johnstone.
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I think he was guaranteed game time as part of the deal, makes you wonder if that's Gollini off now.
I think that will be best for all concerned, I like Gollini, but if Bruce doesn't have faith in him now he probably will be of the same mind in the summer.
I think we'll hear more from him in the future - we just don't have the time to carry him now.
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Welcome, Sam. Man Utd supporting mates only have good things to say about him. Was part of the FA youth cup winning side, along with Pogba.
A shame about Gollini. I think he's a really good keeper, and despite a few errors, I hope he stays.
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I think he was guaranteed game time as part of the deal, makes you wonder if that's Gollini off now.
Gollini has by all accounts been told he has to fight for his place unless a big money offer comes in.
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At this moment in time, this one seems completely pointless to me, but there you go.
At least we're looking at other deals which make a lot more sense as well.
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Welcome Sam. I was having a quick think and I can't recall another goalie playing first team football for us by the name of Sam since Sam Hardy. *
* Prepares to be shot down.
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At this moment in time, this one seems completely pointless to me, but there you go.
At least we're looking at other deals which make a lot more sense as well.
Why? I don't trust Mark Bunn in the slightest and Gollini has a long way to go. If this kid is better than why not bring him in?
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At this moment in time, this one seems completely pointless to me, but there you go.
At least we're looking at other deals which make a lot more sense as well.
Why? I don't trust Mark Bunn in the slightest and Gollini has a long way to go. If this kid is better than why not bring him in?
Is he better ? Is he going to stay after this season if he's any good? Will Gollini get better with game time? Is Gollini off himself? Answers to these questions would determine whether it's a sensible one or not, but at this point my feeling is that I'd sooner stick with Gollini or buy experience.
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Does anybody know if we have an option to buy if this works out for him and us ?
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At this moment in time, this one seems completely pointless to me, but there you go.
At least we're looking at other deals which make a lot more sense as well.
Why? I don't trust Mark Bunn in the slightest and Gollini has a long way to go. If this kid is better than why not bring him in?
Is he better ? Is he going to stay after this season if he's any good? Will Gollini get better with game time? Is Gollini off himself? Answers to these questions would determine whether it's a sensible one or not, but at this point my feeling is that I'd sooner stick with Gollini or buy experience.
We have to trust the judgement of Gary Bailey and Tony Coton, two well respected goalkeepers in their own right on that. They have seen Bunn and Gollini close up and feel Johnstone is better. I'm all for better.
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Welcome to Aston Villa Sam.
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Bunn and Gollini haven't been up to the job, there's room for improvement, let's hope it's in the form of Johnstone.
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At this moment in time, this one seems completely pointless to me, but there you go.
At least we're looking at other deals which make a lot more sense as well.
Why? I don't trust Mark Bunn in the slightest and Gollini has a long way to go. If this kid is better than why not bring him in?
Is he better ? Is he going to stay after this season if he's any good? Will Gollini get better with game time? Is Gollini off himself? Answers to these questions would determine whether it's a sensible one or not, but at this point my feeling is that I'd sooner stick with Gollini or buy experience.
We have to trust the judgement of Gary Bailey and Tony Coton, two well respected goalkeepers in their own right on that. They have seen Bunn and Gollini close up and feel Johnstone is better. I'm all for better.
I hope we have an option to buy because if he is better as you say, it's only till the end of the season. If not, we have a Goalkeeper change now for the defence to get used to, and then another one in the summer, or a no better or possibly even worse Gollini back in the Sticks.
I'm not deliberately trying to be a moaner on this, I'm delighted with both Xia and Bruce, but I just can't get my head around this one.
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If you're talking in the context of priorities then yes we have more obvious pressing needs. But deals don't always align that way. I would expect that Bruce knows we need help in midfield and up front and is working on that.
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If you're talking in the context of priorities then yes we have more obvious pressing needs. But deals don't always align that way. I would expect that Bruce knows we need help in midfield and up front and is working on that.
And to be fair I fully trust them to get the players in to improve us overall, we all know the midfield needs serious repair and If the rumours are to be believed we're looking at a number of players there.
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At this moment in time, this one seems completely pointless to me, but there you go.
At least we're looking at other deals which make a lot more sense as well.
Why? I don't trust Mark Bunn in the slightest and Gollini has a long way to go. If this kid is better than why not bring him in?
Is he better ? Is he going to stay after this season if he's any good? Will Gollini get better with game time? Is Gollini off himself? Answers to these questions would determine whether it's a sensible one or not, but at this point my feeling is that I'd sooner stick with Gollini or buy experience.
We have to trust the judgement of Gary Bailey and Tony Coton, two well respected goalkeepers in their own right on that. They have seen Bunn and Gollini close up and feel Johnstone is better. I'm all for better.
I hope we have an option to buy because if he is better as you say, it's only till the end of the season. If not, we have a Goalkeeper change now for the defence to get used to, and then another one in the summer, or a no better or possibly even worse Gollini back in the Sticks.
I'm not deliberately trying to be a moaner on this, I'm delighted with both Xia and Bruce, but I just can't get my head around this one.
I know what you mean but for me that argument doesn't apply in the same way now we're in the second division. For the same reason I'm not bothered that SB is a mediocre premier league manager. Priority one is get back up by hook or by crook.
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Also a good point Mossman but the problem is, if we don't go up, we have the problem I described above. If we signed someone with experience permanently we would at least have continuity for next season.
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All for Better? Come on, that sounds like a Labour Party slogan.
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All for Better? Come on, that sounds like a Labour Party slogan.
I should trademark that and sell it to them. They need all the help they can get.
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At this moment in time, this one seems completely pointless to me, but there you go.
At least we're looking at other deals which make a lot more sense as well.
Why? I don't trust Mark Bunn in the slightest and Gollini has a long way to go. If this kid is better than why not bring him in?
Is he better ? Is he going to stay after this season if he's any good? Will Gollini get better with game time? Is Gollini off himself? Answers to these questions would determine whether it's a sensible one or not, but at this point my feeling is that I'd sooner stick with Gollini or buy experience.
We have to trust the judgement of Gary Bailey and Tony Coton, two well respected goalkeepers in their own right on that. They have seen Bunn and Gollini close up and feel Johnstone is better. I'm all for better.
We don't have to trust anybody. Anymore than we had to trust Martin O'Neill when he thought Zat Knight was better than Gary Cahill, or Paul Lambert when he thought that buying Alexsander Tonev was a better idea than playing Marc Albrighton.
Johnstone could be worth doing. But if he's here for five months, and we're then talking all over again about whether Gollini is good enough or buying yet another new one, it just strikes me as pretty pointless.
If we see Johnstone as our long-term goalkeeper, fine. If not, let's help the development of our own one rather than pissing about with somebody else's.
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All the rumour links leading up to his signing mentioned we had an option to buy. Add to that his comments today about wanting to play games, I imagine he's more than willing to leave the Plastics. Their 3rd choice keeper is the least of their problems. I'd guess we have first option to buy come the summer.
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Welcome to Villa Sam...please don't be as shit as Gallini and Bunn!
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Why is it that when we want to buy a player there's always a snag, whereas, when we sell it gets done PDQ!!
Only thing in SB's current press conference is how Gabby is revitalised and like having signed a new player. Do any of our managers see what us fans see??
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Great 10 more to replace and we'll be fine.
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Now we have got rid of Traore (half way line to corner flag in 4.6 seconds) and Gestede (basically an aerial player) we get a goalie who can kick from his hands and drop the ball on the opposition penalty spot. If we are going to play ugly Sam will be perfect.
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Welcome to Villa, St Johnstone.
watching highlights in Turkish - about a minute or so - of someone at the weekend in Scotland and they kept mentioning Sam Johnstone so I was trying to pay attention. But I couldn't work out which keeper he was as the goalmouth action was at one end then t'other, but gathered they must have talking about him and a potential move. It was when it was something like 3-0 that I realised I was watching St Johnstone.
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I think he was guaranteed game time as part of the deal, makes you wonder if that's Gollini off now.
Gollini has by all accounts been told he has to fight for his place unless a big money offer comes in.
That's fine provided he is given a fair chance.
Welcome Sam don't concede any goals!
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If Bruce fancies Bunn over Gollini and Johnstone is first choice what's the point in him (Gollini) hanging around?
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I don't like us making signings like this. I'd have prefered an experienced keeper over a prospect who will get game time that will ultimately benefit the likes of Manyoo.
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Speaking of third choice keepers I suddenly remembered Stuart Taylor and wondered what he was up to. He's now 36 and if I'm reading wikipedia correctly has had a total of 75 first team appearances over a 20 year career.
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Speaking of third choice keepers I suddenly remembered Stuart Taylor and wondered what he was up to. He's now 36 and if I'm reading wikipedia correctly has had a total of 75 first team appearances over a 20 year career.
I talking about this with an Arsenal fan last year. What a waste of a career you think he'd just want to play he always seems to be quite happy sitting on the bench or in the stands really don't understand it at all. Apparently in those 75 games he's managed to win the Premier League once, won two FA Cups and two Community Shields.
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Speaking of third choice keepers I suddenly remembered Stuart Taylor and wondered what he was up to. He's now 36 and if I'm reading wikipedia correctly has had a total of 75 first team appearances over a 20 year career.
I talking about this with an Arsenal fan last year. What a waste of a career you think he'd just want to play he always seems to be quite happy sitting on the bench or in the stands really don't understand it at all.
I imagine it must to terrible to be a 36 year old multi-millionaire who has had to do nothing for the wealth and comfort of his family apart from keep himself in a reasonable state of fitness.
What sort of nutter would be happy with that.
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Speaking of third choice keepers I suddenly remembered Stuart Taylor and wondered what he was up to. He's now 36 and if I'm reading wikipedia correctly has had a total of 75 first team appearances over a 20 year career.
I talking about this with an Arsenal fan last year. What a waste of a career you think he'd just want to play he always seems to be quite happy sitting on the bench or in the stands really don't understand it at all.
I imagine it must to terrible to be a 36 year old multi-millionaire who has had to do nothing for the wealth and comfort of his family apart from keep himself in a reasonable state of fitness.
What sort of nutter would be happy with that.
Yeah the money is nice and if that is all he is interested in, good luck to him. For me if I had the ability to be able to play at that level I would want to play as many games as I could and have a career I could look back on and be proud of.
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He will always have a special place in my heart as the only player I have had genuine ITK about. And even then I froze in the headlights and failed to post anything until everyone knew.
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Speaking of third choice keepers I suddenly remembered Stuart Taylor and wondered what he was up to. He's now 36 and if I'm reading wikipedia correctly has had a total of 75 first team appearances over a 20 year career.
I talking about this with an Arsenal fan last year. What a waste of a career you think he'd just want to play he always seems to be quite happy sitting on the bench or in the stands really don't understand it at all.
I imagine it must to terrible to be a 36 year old multi-millionaire who has had to do nothing for the wealth and comfort of his family apart from keep himself in a reasonable state of fitness.
What sort of nutter would be happy with that.
Yeah the money is nice and if that is all he is interested in, good luck to him. For me if I had the ability to be able to play at that level I would want to play as many games as I could and have a career I could look back on and be proud of.
I guess the thing is that he doesn't really have the ability to play at that level.
500 games in League One or a handful of games for teams winning trophies and playing in the Champions League, while probably earning twice as much money?
Not saying one is better than the other, but it's not like the latter is far worse.
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Speaking of third choice keepers I suddenly remembered Stuart Taylor and wondered what he was up to. He's now 36 and if I'm reading wikipedia correctly has had a total of 75 first team appearances over a 20 year career.
I talking about this with an Arsenal fan last year. What a waste of a career you think he'd just want to play he always seems to be quite happy sitting on the bench or in the stands really don't understand it at all.
I imagine it must to terrible to be a 36 year old multi-millionaire who has had to do nothing for the wealth and comfort of his family apart from keep himself in a reasonable state of fitness.
What sort of nutter would be happy with that.
I was thinking something similar. Perhaps he's just one of those players' that doesn't enjoy football all that much but is fairly decent at it, enough to play professionally and has seen the bigger picture. Keep fit as you say; and keep picking up contracts with clubs for little or no return. Bank balance continues to grow and, no need to ever look for a 'proper' job. Sorted.
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There seem to be more keepers with that mindset tham outfield players. I guess by its nature it's a less glorified role and seems to attract less adrenaline hungry characters that need first team action to stay topped up.
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There seem to be more keepers with that mindset tham outfield players. I guess by its nature it's a less glorified role and seems to attract less adrenaline hungry characters that need first team action to stay topped up.
It's the one position where you know you'll never or hardly ever have to play yet every club has to have a player to do just that. As Dave said, you can either play regularly at your natural level or be a reserve at a higher one. You can say the same about Mark Bunn - he's not good enough to be our first choice but he could do well in League One.
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I take it that Bruce doesn't rate Gollini at all, or Jed Steer.
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I take it that Bruce doesn't rate Gollini at all, or Jed Steer.
Steer's out for the season I think.
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It must be weird. If you're a really talented young English keeper and set your sights on the premier league, you're aiming at 20 jobs. 15 if you discount yo-yo teams. And the established competition can play till they're 40. The numbers are crazy really.
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Welcome, Sam.
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It must be weird. If you're a really talented young English keeper and set your sights on the premier league, you're aiming at 20 jobs. 15 if you discount yo-yo teams. And the established competition can play till they're 40. The numbers are crazy really.
Huh, I never thought about it that way before. You are right. Puts the size of the market into perspective.
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Johnstone seems to have a physical presence about him we have lacked since Brad 1.
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Yes he looks like a 'proper' keeper.
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Probably been asked before but I'm lazy. Have we agreed a fee if we want to sign him permanently?
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Probably been asked before but I'm lazy. Have we agreed a fee if we want to sign him permanently?
Currently unclear. Some reports said we had, but none of the more reputable places reported it.
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Cheers.
Can someone who has Twitter ask the General, pretty please?
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I meant Dr Xia. Brain stuck in 2007.
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Got his feet all wrong for their first it looked?
Solid apart from that, fast off his line and a lot more of a presence than Gollini.
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Liked what I saw.
I think deep down he'll know it's time to leave Man. United as he's way down the pecking order so I'd say we would be in a good position to sign him especially if we go up.
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Probably been asked before but I'm lazy. Have we agreed a fee if we want to sign him permanently?
I read quite a few quotes stating that Mourinho rates him highly, so I very much doubt it.
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Probably been asked before but I'm lazy. Have we agreed a fee if we want to sign him permanently?
I read quite a few quotes stating that Mourinho rates him highly, so I very much doubt it.
He's not getting any playing time while De Gea is there.
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Let's see how he does over a period of time first. Really good start and I hope it continues, but as a word of caution Carson started well.
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Let's see how he does over a period of time first. Really good start and I hope it continues, but as a word of caution Carson started well.
Got into the England team on the strength of his early performances.
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Let's see how he does over a period of time first. Really good start and I hope it continues, but as a word of caution Carson started well.
Got into the England team on the strength of his early performances.
I know, which kind of illustrates my point.
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Let's see how he does over a period of time first. Really good start and I hope it continues, but as a word of caution Carson started well.
Got into the England team on the strength of his early performances.
I know, which kind of illustrates my point.
I know you know.
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I don't think either of you know, really.
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I know some things.
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Show off.
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Looked good. Stays up on his feet and doesn't commit. Not at fault for either goal.
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I'd like to stress he did look really good and I'm hopeful.
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Impressive...most impressive.
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Big. Size does matter.
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Big. Size does matter.
Big. Size does matter. Olivia Newton-John in leather trousers. I think a lie down in a dark room is called for Brian.
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He look good today from what I seen on TV.
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I thought he did well I like the look of him long may it continue.
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Looked good. Stays up on his feet and doesn't commit
that sounds just like me in boogies or Edwards when chatting up a girl in the 70s and 80s
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Impressive...most impressive.
Emilio has taught him well...
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Looked good. Stays up on his feet and doesn't commit
that sounds just like me in boogies or Edwards when chatting up a girl in the 70s and 80s
And me !
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Mr amfy tells me that he was brilliant at Preston and they wanted to keep I'm on loan but Man U would only let them keep him if they were buying.
This sounds very promising from our perspective. Mr amfy is v pissed off about him coming to us when they couldn't get him back. We have a bit more money than PNE - If we like him I think we will keep him.
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Johnstone seems the number one villa keeper now. Bunn is out of contract in summer i think he like to stay.
Johnstone looked commanding and has great kicking abilities something that is of real added bonus. The departed Gollini and Nunn are lesser distributors of ball and I like how accurate this GK distribution is. Certainly a good move.
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Another good shot stopper without looking the whole deal. Very disappointed with the goal yesterday what was he doing.
Think it is a case of wait and see.
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for all Wolves dominance he didn't really have a lot to do yesterday
can I ask what he was supposed to have done with the goal,
he couldn't have caught it, his only option for me was to parry/punch it away, it went straight to one of their players which was unfortunate,
but i'm not sure he would have had the time to steer the ball away to safety as there were players all around him and the ball was hit at speed into a crowded goalmouth
I'm not just trying to stick up for him here but I dont put the goal down to a goalkeeping mistake
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Thought he was poor for the goal.
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for all Wolves dominance he didn't really have a lot to do yesterday
can I ask what he was supposed to have done with the goal,
he couldn't have caught it, his only option for me was to parry/punch it away, it went straight to one of their players which was unfortunate,
but i'm not sure he would have had the time to steer the ball away to safety as there were players all around him and the ball was hit at speed into a crowded goalmouth
I'm not just trying to stick up for him here but I dont put the goal down to a goalkeeping mistake
I'm inclined to agree with this. I thought that he had to go for the ball and could not be expected to have caught it. I blame poor defending more than the keeper for this one.
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He's not better than Gollini is he.....
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Nope. Worse actually as we have no stake in him long term. At least with Gollini is he improves then we get to reap the benefits.
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He's not better than Gollini is he.....
The fawning over him* after a semi-competent first match against Spurs was ridiculous.
*From some quarters
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He's a big lad still learning his trade we need someone who's more experienced.
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Several very costly errors.
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Several very costly errors.
Cost us more than Golini already.
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He's not better than Gollini is he.....
The fawning over him* after a semi-competent first match against Spurs was ridiculous.
*From some quarters
He had a good debut, a misleadingly good one. As I said st the time the deal only made sense if he is better, right now, than gollini. And he clearly isn't.
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That error today was horrendous and completely swung the game. Grealish hammered the coffin shut.
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Too easy just to blame it on Johnstone but he is no better than Gollini which is disappointing.
We should have gone for Marshall when Cardiff got relegated, or dare I say Myhill.
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I couldn't see the point in taking a young keeper on loan unless he was something special. Clearly he's a long way from that so we might have well have stuck with Gollini.
Oh well.
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Huge fuck up by Bruce not buying a decent keeper
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I said at the time and still think so, replacing a young inexperienced keeper you own with another young and inexperienced keeper you don't own seems a tad bizarre.
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Huge fuck up by Bruce not buying a decent keeper
Interesting that the first thing Silva did was change the keeper when he took over at Hull and promote the keeper Bruce only played in cup games. He's been superb and kept clean sheets at Old Trafford and against Liverpool.
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He is shit.
The management decision to bring him in is who i am blaming not SJ. Why bring in a player who is;
1) inexperienced
2) young
3) we have no option to buy
What is SJ's motivation with regards the Villa? We can't buy him, he wont replace de gea... so where does that leave him? In my opinion there is not enough long term concequence for him to progress how he needs to.
Its bizarre how the former hull experienced keeper (mccgregor) who Buse used to have was allowed to go on loan to Cardiff no we didn't go in for him?
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I blame all of them. Yes the keeper screwed up the shot but how fricking deep are the defence and midfield? We invited Forest on. Crap tactics.
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Said it earlier but he's too young to be our number one keeper. We're stuck with him now though.
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I think he is better than Gollini. He catches the ball for a start. Youth and inexperience for the first, that happens during a keepers development.
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I think he is better than Gollini. He catches the ball for a start. Youth and inexperience for the first, that happens during a keepers development.
That's not what you want from a goalkeeper brought in on loan for six months to be your first choice keeper.
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I think he is better than Gollini. He catches the ball for a start. Youth and inexperience for the first, that happens during a keepers development.
Maybe we could have developed and given experience to the young keeper we owned, rather than the one we didn't.
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He couldn't catch a fucking cold.
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Shit singing. Team crying out for an experienced head at the back signs rookie fucking donkey from someone's reserves. Well done.
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I think he is better than Gollini. He catches the ball for a start. Youth and inexperience for the first, that happens during a keepers development.
I think he is better than Gollini. He catches the ball for a start. Youth and inexperience for the first, that happens during a keepers development.
Maybe we could have developed and given experience to the young keeper we owned, rather than the one we didn't.
Maybe "they" thought Johnstone was the much better option. I know little about our youth keeper, I do think though that even with the mistakes this one has made he's still an upgrade on Bunn or Gollini.
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I've seen nothing to suggest he's an upgrade on Gollini at the moment.
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I assumed Dave meant Gollini.
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This kid is fucking gash anyway, no point defending him he's only been here a handful of games and fucked up in a good portion of them already. Send him back to Man Ure, blood our own youngsters.
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Absolutely no value in keeping him here. You could sort of accommodate the idea if he was good - he's strictly average
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All he is a decent shot stopper we need a Marshall or Myhill or even Ruddy if Norwich will sell at the end of the season.
The art of goal keeping is much different to the era of Spinks or Rimmer. Lighter ball, other rule changes are not making the skill any easier to master, but why go for a like for like - we need experience.
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Is there any word of when Jed Steer will be back? He did very well here in Huddersfield last season. Would probably be a safer bet than any of the others we have.
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I think Steer is out for the season.
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He's looked no better than Gollini, and he was an absolute fucking chump
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Fills me with no confidence at all.
He's no better than Gollini, who was our player. Now we're stuck looking after Man Utd's employee.
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Up to now, a terrible signing. No justification in releasing Gollini on loan.
I'm so pissed off at having abysmal keepers, I give up.
There is no real point in even thinking about organising your defence when your keeper gives them no confidence whatsoever.
At least he made a save today-First one since he's been here.
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If we're going to spend £10m+ on a player in the summer can we please make it a goalkeeper and sort this position out once and for all.
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I think he is better than Gollini. He catches the ball for a start. Youth and inexperience for the first, that happens during a keepers development.
I think he is better than Gollini. He catches the ball for a start. Youth and inexperience for the first, that happens during a keepers development.
Maybe we could have developed and given experience to the young keeper we owned, rather than the one we didn't.
Maybe "they" thought Johnstone was the much better option.
Well on what he's shown so far, it can be added to a worryingly growing list of shit decisions by Bruce and his team.
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Cocky not confident. Second goal was also down to him and chester
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I think Gollini pushed for a move back home so this transfer was forced. However, he's not ready for first team football at this level. This needs to be a priority in the summer.
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May as well give Sarkic a go. He can't be any worse and is up for Player of the month at his level.
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Gollini was a better keeper, end of.
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Has to be Bunn for the remainder of the season. Not great but he can generally catch a tame shot from 25 yards.
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To get out of this league you need an experienced keeper like Leeds have Green etc. We haven't had a decent keeper since Friedel.
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Bit concerning where the advice came from to bring Johnstone in. Not many players leave It and better themselves gollini was not good enough and now it appears neither is his replacement and please no more slow Bunn
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A hypothetical.
One wonders out of sheer curiosity whether former Villa keeper Shay Given at 40 would be better than both Gollini and Johnstone right now and what he may have been able to offer here in the Championship.
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We must be unlucky with keepers. In his short tenure so far he has already cost us two defeats.
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Since Given left, we have been lacking in the keeping department, both first choice and backup. It's amazing that non of the managers have addressed the issue properly.
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I'd rather have Johnstone than Bunn starting.
Does anyone know how far off Steer is from returning?
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A hypothetical.
One wonders out of sheer curiosity whether former Villa keeper Shay Given at 40 would be better than both Gollini and Johnstone right now and what he may have been able to offer here in the Championship.
No Given was past it at the 2012 Euros and generally woeful for us
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Since Given left, we have been lacking in the keeping department, both first choice and backup. It's amazing that non of the managers have addressed the issue properly.
Apart from one excellent season from Guzan, we've been lacking in that department since Friedel left.
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Johnstone looks pretty solid at times but has cost us at least two goals by parrying/fumbling shots back into the danger zone. Gollini did it a couple of times too (Bristol away?) and Guzan was a bugger for it. I thought it was a fundamental of goalkeeping that you train to push it away to the side or round the post if you aren't sure you can keep hold of it.
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Johnstone looks pretty solid at times but has cost us at least two goals by parrying/fumbling shots back into the danger zone. Gollini did it a couple of times too (Bristol away?) and Guzan was a bugger for it. I thought it was a fundamental of goalkeeping that you train to push it away to the side or round the post if you aren't sure you can keep hold of it.
It looked to me yesterday as though he misjudged the bounce, whether that was him or the pitch only he will know, but instead of collecting it the ball bounced off him and straight to the striker.
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Was surprised we didn't get McGregor from Hull, SB signed him after all. He went to Cardiff this window.
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Johnstone is not the keeper we thought he would be ....... at times he looks positive but there always seems a mistake in him
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It is certainly strange that given we have spent significant sums of money on defenders, strikers and midfielders that the important position of goalkeeper has essentially been ignored. Collectively the goalkeeping position at Villa is nothing special in relation to the other championship teams.
It is with reluctance that I would criticise Villa keepers but over the last few seasons we have had the hapless Gazzoon and his misplaced passes and alas whilst the situation is slightly better it appears that lessons have not been learned.
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I'm still positive about him, It's early days granted but it seemed a nasty bounce beat him IMO , let's not write him off just yet, how about something really radical - supporting him and building him up ? I remember seeing DeGea when he first arrived at Man Ure and he looked decidedly dodgy for quite a while. I'm not saying Sam will be as good but I can see potential and don't buy into all this two great games = worldbeater , two shaky ones = scrapheap
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We binned Gollini though because he was conceding cheap goals like parrying shots back into the six yard box for strikers to tap in.
You'd like to think his replacement wouldn't be doing the same thing.
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To get out of this league you need an experienced keeper like Leeds have Green etc. We haven't had a decent keeper since Friedel.
I might be in the minority but I never rated Friedel as decent.
Johnstone looks nervy so far and other teams can sense it as they did with Gollini let's be honest.
Bunn is awful and certainly not the answer.
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We binned Gollini though because he was conceding cheap goals like parrying shots back into the six yard box for strikers to tap in.
You'd like to think his replacement wouldn't be doing the same thing.
I would have probably stuck with Gollini based on my thought process- I think our coaches need to look up the term 'coach ' and f*#King start doing some if it .
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At least Johnstone will come for crosses, something that couldn't be said for Gollini.
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The comparisons with De Gea are not worth making, if he comes good next season will he still be wearing a Villa shirt??
If we were to loan a keeper, I would rather have gone with some experience and kept Gollini here, Gollini, Johnstone, much of a muchness and both average at best.
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Not a cigarette paper between them except we own one and are borrowing the other while paying two lots of wages (Atalanta will not be paying much you can be sure). How very Villa. See page 477, para B) How To Piss the Owner's Money Up The Wall Needlessly Handbook.
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as written by AVFC, it's an international best seller.
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If we insist on having a young GK learning on the job, at least let be our own player so we get the benefit in later years.
Stupid signing.
We should have signed up an experienced player, even on loan, to take pressure off Gollini.
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Terrible error for the first goal. Trouble is, his confidence will be in question now.
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What is Sarkic up to now? I saw the young Swedish lad has 5 straight clean sheets for the reserves, is Sarkic injured? Surely we would be better off giving one of those 2 10 games rather than Johnstone who looks a complete waste of time to me. I fully expect him to be amazing in the future now.
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Whilst on the face of it I don't see much between Gollini and this lad, wasn't there some talk that Gollini wasn't happy because he'd lost the Italian coach? I think the change may have come about not just for purely footballing reasons.
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If we insist on having a young GK learning on the job, at least let be our own player so we get the benefit in later years.
Stupid signing.
We should have signed up an experienced player, even on loan, to take pressure off Gollini.
This. Utterly pointless signing on loan another promsing rookie to replace our own promising rookie we actually own, particularly when it's a goalkeeper.
Just baffling. Or am I missing something.
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Whilst on the face of it I don't see much between Gollini and this lad, wasn't there some talk that Gollini wasn't happy because he'd lost the Italian coach? I think the change may have come about not just for purely footballing reasons.
Yeah I remember reading something like that and it was related to the coaching staff or coaching methods. I'm pretty sure he also said that he doesn't want to come back and will be pushing for a move back to Italy or elsewhere.
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The trouble is, when a young keeper's confidence goes, it's rare that they recover it quickly. Look at Encks and Carson.
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well yes, but your post just serves to reinforce the fact that he raises more questions than he answers - Gollini was no worse and had the advantage of being our player
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Gollini wanted to move back as pointed out, I suppose we had little choice but to move him on. Bruce probably knew this for a while and literally had weeks to sort a replacement. He obviously rates Johnstone and didn't want to go any other way but early signs are this could be one of the biggest cock ups of Bruce's Villa career so far. A bit like Gollini being one of the biggest cock ups of De Matteos Villa career. Hopefully we'll get it right in the summer.
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I do not believe Johnstone or Gollini before him, will have cost us promotion. Yes, they have both made mistakes that have cost us points but defenders have done likewise and, more to the point, what we have failed to do at the other end of the pitch has been our real failure and just magnified the mistakes.
Good keepers cost money because there are not many of them around unless you are one of the top sides. I still think we are better developing a young keeper in the Championship (assuming we have an option to buy or we persuade Johnstone that he has a good future here).
I would rather give him a chance between now and the end of the season and look at the position then. I do not believe teams get promoted from this division based on having a top goalkeeper.
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I think they get promoted because they score more than they concede
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Bruce doesn't rate Gollini at all is why Johnstone is here.
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I do not believe Johnstone or Gollini before him, will have cost us promotion. Yes, they have both made mistakes that have cost us points but defenders have done likewise and, more to the point, what we have failed to do at the other end of the pitch has been our real failure and just magnified the mistakes.
Good keepers cost money because there are not many of them around unless you are one of the top sides. I still think we are better developing a young keeper in the Championship (assuming we have an option to buy or we persuade Johnstone that he has a good future here).
I would rather give him a chance between now and the end of the season and look at the position then. I do not believe teams get promoted from this division based on having a top goalkeeper.
At the moment I wouldn't be trying to persuade him to stay. The bad decision making in respect of getting in a decent keeper has cost us dear this season.
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Bruce doesn't rate Gollini at all is why Johnstone is here.
I think that was pretty obvious by the way he was shipped out so quickly.
But based on what Johnstone has shown so far, it would suggest that Bruce's judgement is somewhat suspect.
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Terrible error for the first goal. Trouble is, his confidence will be in question now.
Watching back on TV, the ball strikes Grealish and deflects away from his predicted position by just enough to make it rebound. I can't criticise that, myself.
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The ball bounced RIGHT in front of him, his hands were all over the place, it was shit keeping.
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The ball bounced RIGHT in front of him, his hands were all over the place, it was shit keeping.
It was, but he doesn't strike me as a shit keeper. Mind you, neither did the other lad. They're young, they're going to make the odd blunder, but we don't do enough the other end to make it inconsequential
I think we were too quick to give up on Gollini, but I think this lad will be good.
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How many blunders have our keepers made this season compared to blunders by keepers against us? It's more than the odd blunder.
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How many blunders have our keepers made this season compared to blunders by keepers against us? It's more than the odd blunder.
They haven't had to play behind Elphick, to be fair.
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As bad as Elphick is I wouldn't blame him for handling errors, bottling crosses or palming the ball in to the middle of the area,
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I'm far from convinced by Johnstone and I think Gollini will be a far better keeper than him in 3-4 years time. Johnstone looks, to me, like someone who'll end up a bit like Stuart Taylor with a career with 6-7 clubs and another 6-7 loans but with little more than a handful of appearance for most of them, just a perpetual reserve keeper who you trust for a 3-4 game spell but never as a regular. I might be wrong but there's just nothing about him that makes me think he'll be more than that.
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There is a fair bit more to the Gollini situation than meets the eye, and Johnstone has already done a decent season in this division for Preston - they wanted to keep him, so he probably isn't as bad as he has looked whilst settling in.
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Bruce doesn't rate Gollini at all is why Johnstone is here.
I think that was pretty obvious by the way he was shipped out so quickly.
But based on what Johnstone has shown so far, it would suggest that Bruce's judgement is somewhat suspect.
Certainly when it comes to goalkeepers, he didn't give Jakupovic much of a chance at Hull and first thing Silva did was make him first choice and he's been outstanding.
edit. I realise Bruce didn't sign Marshall but he didn't play Jakupovic in the league.
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His most assured performance yesterday I thought. One good save at 0-0 and looking more commanding of the penalty area. There was one less than clean catch he took and a few clearances that went astray but that aside, the improvement is encouraging to see and hopefully it will continue.
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He seems to have cut out the unnecessary punching from his game as well
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Very impressive yesterday, no flashy saves but looked very assured.
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Me too. It is almost certainly unfair but not having Elphick in front of him seems to help him.
Yesterday as Jedi prowled our penalty area you could feel our defence getting more confident.
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Very impressive yesterday, no flashy saves but looked very assured.
His kicking was still very erratic though. Kicked quite few I straight into touch.
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Very impressive yesterday, no flashy saves but looked very assured.
His kicking was still very erratic though. Kicked quite few I straight into touch.
Did he? I don't remember that.
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Very impressive yesterday, no flashy saves but looked very assured.
His kicking was still very erratic though. Kicked quite few I straight into touch.
Did he? I don't remember that.
Maybe twice, to his right, which is a definite improvement, he also threw the ball out a lot quicker as well
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Johnstone had a better all round game yesterday, as for Gollini and Bruce not fancying him, I believe that Golini didn't want to stay after his Italian coach left. Bruce had no option but to go for a new keeper, if he could or should have gone for more experience is debatable
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He's conceded 1 in 5 games.
He's got some proper defenders playing well in front of him which helps but i think he's been looking more and more confident as time has gone on. Like the rest of the team.
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Our current good defensive form rests on Sam Johnstone, though Baker and CHester have been playing really well, not to mention Alan Hutton putting in a stint. So it would make sense to get Sam on our books.
Despite his reputation and current form, Sam is not a big issue at Man u. If De Gea goes, it seems they will pick up a foreign keeper. SO lets make it clear fans like him and want him to stay and it could be the factor that pushes the villa to sign him.
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the guy still needs to learn when to punch and when to catch - as demonstrated last night.
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the guy still needs to learn when to punch and when to catch - as demonstrated last night.
I think that's something that will come with more experience.
That said, whether he punches, or catches, at the wrong times you can't argue with the clean sheets he's keeping.
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He's done better, still not convinced.
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We need better.
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Put any old sod in goal and it won't matter the way we deny the opposition efforts at goal.
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He's done better, still not convinced.
I agree, couple of times he should've caught it and punched which got the crowd frustrated although he was alert with that terrible Taylor backpass.
I too think there's better out there but given he has no future at Man. United he'll probably be an easy permanent signing to make.
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I'd steer clear of him, he's done Ok but I still want someone a bit more commanding, I still feel like he's got a rick in him every game, even though he has stopped making them, if that makes any sense.
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He should be brimming with confidence. Didn't look like it last night.
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the predilection to punch rather than catch the ball makes for squeaky bum viewing in L5.
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He's still very young for a keeper - and the potential is there, a few bad punching decisions aside. Is there not a case to say that if we make a signing or two and retain this really good defensive solidity that is Bruce's trademark, we get him in for another year/permanently and try and sustain a full promotion-pushing season with him? Look at what Burnley have done with another United third choice keeper and now England international Tom Heaton.
Short term? Yeah, you could probably buy a 32 year old experienced keeper and be solid. With the long-term in mind I'm in favour of doing what we can to keep him permanently and persevering through the occasional bad decision.
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He's done better, still not convinced.
How many more consecutive clean sheets does he need to keep to convince you?
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He's done better, still not convinced.
How many more consecutive clean sheets does he need to keep to convince you?
14.
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the predilection to punch rather than catch the ball makes for squeaky bum viewing in L5.
I don't mind punched clearances if it's done properly but there were a few dodgy attempts last night.
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I think he will only get better and he's still young so I would sign him up.
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Has rejoined for another go
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We go again.
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Good stuff. One less position to worry about.
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Makes sense. He's out of contract at the end of the loan, this could be good or bad... time will tell.
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I don't mind Johnstone re signing, I think he will do a decent job for the club.
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Welcome back Sam.
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Welcome back Sam.
Always knew he'd come back to us someday.
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Should grow into the role with the club hopefully. I have my suspicions that this is a loan in name to reduce our FFP issues and will be made permanent if we go up without any fuss.
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Should grow into the role with the club hopefully. I have my suspicions that this is a loan in name to reduce our FFP issues and will be made permanent if we go up without any fuss.
I'm sure it is and shows that in Wyness we have someone cute enough to play the "rules" to our advantage, which is a welcome change!
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He's not as good as Hart clearly. He made a shaky start at a time when the team wilted, but he came back strong, revmbuilt his confidence with a tonne of clean sheets and looks solid enough.
No worse than either keeper who was promoted automatically last year.
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I'm happy with Johnstone and Bunn. I don't rate Gollini.
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I must have missed something isn't Nunn out of contract soon?
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I must have missed something isn't Nunn out of contract soon?
I would offer him a new one. Unless he has already turned one down and is set on a move.
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Happy with this. After a bit of a rocky start he came good.
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How is anyone happy with Bunn? He's shit
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Keeping the likes of Bunn is a sign we want to stay in the division we are in for a while. Too small, and not good enough.
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Keeping the likes of Bunn is a sign we want to stay in the division we are in for a while. Too small, and not good enough.
Don't be silly. With Jed Steer back from injury, he's likely to be 3rd choice at best. Given the money that's been spent in the last 2 years, I would hardly say that giving Mark Bunn a 1 -year contract is a sign that the club want to stay in the Championship for a while!!
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Yep, why bother keeping Bunn, he's a liability who is taking a wage to sit on the bench because literally no one trusts him to play in a run of games. Steer or Sarkic can be the cover whilst hopefully improving to the point where they're putting pressure on to get into the team.
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Steer has been out for the best part of 10 months with an Achilles injury. He was far from proven as an able deputy, even before his injury. Sarkic is 19 and has never played a senior game for the club. Keeping Bunn around for what is going to be a crucial season just seems like a sensible move to me.
He's far from brilliant, but for a 2nd / 3rd choice in the Championship, he's fine. He's also a rarity - keepers who are happy to be back-ups aren't that common. If Steer impresses in training, it makes much more sense to send him out on loan (Sarkic too) than it does have him not improving through not playing any football. Having Bunn around give us the option of doing this.
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Steer has been out for the best part of 10 months with an Achilles injury. He was far from proven as an able deputy, even before his injury. Sarkic is 19 and has never played a senior game for the club. Keeping Bunn around for what is going to be a crucial season just seems like a sensible move to me.
He's far from brilliant, but for a 2nd / 3rd choice in the Championship, he's fine. He's also a rarity - keepers who are happy to be back-ups aren't that common. If Steer impresses in training, it makes much more sense to send him out on loan (Sarkic too) than it does have him not improving through not playing any football. Having Bunn around give us the option of doing this.
If Johnstone broke his arm on the first of September would you play Bunn until January and not be fucking terrified by the prospect?
If the answer is yes then fine but if not the reasons for keeping him are solely because it feels right to have an experienced backup rather than a kid.
To flip the first line Bunn is proven (for me) not good enough to be a deputy so we should get rid and if it turns out that Steer and Sarkic aren't good enough either then we should be looking for someone who is good enough, not keeping someone we know is shit but is ok so long as he doesn't have to play.
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Steer has been out for the best part of 10 months with an Achilles injury. He was far from proven as an able deputy, even before his injury. Sarkic is 19 and has never played a senior game for the club. Keeping Bunn around for what is going to be a crucial season just seems like a sensible move to me.
He's far from brilliant, but for a 2nd / 3rd choice in the Championship, he's fine. He's also a rarity - keepers who are happy to be back-ups aren't that common. If Steer impresses in training, it makes much more sense to send him out on loan (Sarkic too) than it does have him not improving through not playing any football. Having Bunn around give us the option of doing this.
Stuart Taylor has made 75 appearances in a 20 year career.........
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Steer has been out for the best part of 10 months with an Achilles injury. He was far from proven as an able deputy, even before his injury. Sarkic is 19 and has never played a senior game for the club. Keeping Bunn around for what is going to be a crucial season just seems like a sensible move to me.
He's far from brilliant, but for a 2nd / 3rd choice in the Championship, he's fine. He's also a rarity - keepers who are happy to be back-ups aren't that common. If Steer impresses in training, it makes much more sense to send him out on loan (Sarkic too) than it does have him not improving through not playing any football. Having Bunn around give us the option of doing this.
Stuart Taylor has made 75 appearances in a 20 year career.........
...won a Premier League and two FA Cup winners' medals.
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I'm happier going into the season with Bunn, Steer and Sarkic as back-up than I would be with just Steer and Sarkic, yes. I also cant's think of a cheaper, better option than Bunn for that role. I fully expect Steer to start the season on the bench, but it would just further stifle his progression if it looks likely that he's going to spend the whole season there.
He's also not shit. he was capable of keeping clean-sheets in Premiership wins against Norwich and Palace, behind one of he worst defences in the Club's history. Yes, he also had games where he looked happless, but any keeper coming into the side in that situation would have struggled.
As I said, having Bunn gives us the flexibility to nurture Steer and Sarkic, rather than expect them to sit around on the bench/in the stands before being thrown into the deep-end as-and-when Johnstone picks-up an injury.
I think people underestimate how difficult it is to be a goalkeeper not playing consistently. The pressure - and the effect that pressure has on performing - is hugely different to that of an outfield player. Bunn, is an adequate and affordable back-up keeper for the position we're in.
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If Johnstone broke his arm on the first of September would you play Bunn until January and not be fucking terrified by the prospect?
If the answer is yes then fine but if not the reasons for keeping him are solely because it feels right to have an experienced backup rather than a kid.
To flip the first line Bunn is proven (for me) not good enough to be a deputy so we should get rid and if it turns out that Steer and Sarkic aren't good enough either then we should be looking for someone who is good enough, not keeping someone we know is shit but is ok so long as he doesn't have to play.
Would agree with most of that.
Johnstone also strikes me as the sort of keeper who might benefit from being out of the spotlight from time to time. He is still young (ish) and finding his way.
Ideally we'd have an older head come in and actually push him for that starting spot. Seen enough of Bunn to be doubtful this can be him. In fact my heart sinks whenever I see his name or Mad Tom in the Starting XI.
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The thing is Sarkic and Steer can still be playing for the reserves so it not stopping them from getting any game time but how will we know if they can offer something if we constantly write them off as inexperienced and have a guy in the squad who's only purpose is to stop them being on the bench.
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I don't think Bunn has done too badly whenever he's been called upon. Sarkic may well go out on loan which won't do him any harm at his age.
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We don't have a reserve side any more though which is the problem. You could potentially share-out U23 games between them, but then you're also restricting the game-time of the actual U23 keepers. And again, playing in goal in games at Bodymoor, etc is completely different to having to deal with a Championship crowd. You're s sitting target for opposition supporters and it takes a completely different mindset to cope, than that of an outfield player. Can anyone honestly tell me that they'd throw Sarkic into a Blues game (home or away) ahead of Bunn next season?
There's also the training dynamic to consider. The club kept Andy Marshall around for years, as he was (apparently) regarded as a great help on the training field. I'm speculating of course, but it wouldn't surprise me if Bunn is seen in the same light.
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I don't think Bunn has done too badly whenever he's been called upon. Sarkic may well go out on loan which won't do him any harm at his age.
Bunn is ok for 1-2 games and then he gets gradually worse because the defence get more and more nervous.
I agree that Sarkic might be best going on loan, he's still a kid really but Steer is 25, if we don't trust him to be around the first team squad now then we should get rid.
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Steer is 25, if we don't trust him to be around the first team squad now then we should get rid.
But that's kind of the point. We don't know, partly due to his age (25 is still young for a keeper)and partly due to his injuries. Surely it's in everyone's interests for him to go on loan again, and play regularly. Why does it have to be a case of either making him our substitute keeper or getting rid of him?! Having Bunn gives us the option of letting him rehabilitate and improve, without having the pressure (and lack of game-time) that sitting on our bench would bring.
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I'd rather have a permanent deal done and dusted but i'd still rather have him on a season long loan than nothing
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I'd rather have a permanent deal done and dusted but i'd still rather have him on a season long loan than nothing
True, but my guess (and it is only a guess) is that the player doesn't want to commit his longer term future to a championship club. You would hope that something is in place to definately sign him permanently should we go up.
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He stops permanently if we go up.
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Well, let's think about getting someone better if that happens.
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Well, let's think about getting someone better if that happens.
What if he's better for the experience? I'd like to think we'd give him a chance.
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As I said, having Bunn gives us the flexibility to nurture Steer and Sarkic, rather than expect them to sit around on the bench/in the stands before being thrown into the deep-end as-and-when Johnstone picks-up an injury.
"Nurture" Steer? He's older than Johnstone and has played nearly as many matches at this level as him. And would almost certainly have played more than him had he not been injured last year.
We should be going into this season with Johnstone and Steer as our two keepers, if they decide that Bunn is worth a couple of grand a week to hang around and help with goalkeeper training then that's fine, but he shouldn't be playing matches ahead of a fit Steer.
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Johnstone, Bunn, Steer in that order for me.
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So how long are we going to wait to decide if Jed Steer is good enough? We need to give him a chance in the first team or let him go. He is almost 25 and has been with us for 4 years so that's long enough to establish if he is going to make it.
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Yep , I don't know too much about Sarkic's character but he doesn't strike me as a Bossie, saving a penalty in front of the great unwashed at the the Railway End just after coming on then turning round to the Sty Dwellers arms aloft giving it the big un, but Bunn would just be picking the ball out the net . He's not at Stuart Taylor's level of reserve appearances yet - he can't even get that bit right. Too small and definitely good enough !
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We don't have a reserve side any more though which is the problem. You could potentially share-out U23 games between them, but then you're also restricting the game-time of the actual U23 keepers. And again, playing in goal in games at Bodymoor, etc is completely different to having to deal with a Championship crowd. You're s sitting target for opposition supporters and it takes a completely different mindset to cope, than that of an outfield player. Can anyone honestly tell me that they'd throw Sarkic into a Blues game (home or away) ahead of Bunn next season?
Yep , I don't know too much about Sarkic's character but he doesn't strike me as a Bossie, saving a penalty in front of the great unwashed at the the Railway End just after coming on then turning round to the Sty Dwellers arms aloft giving it the big un, but Bunn would just be picking the ball out the net . He's not at Stuart Taylor's level of reserve appearances yet - he can't even get that bit right. Too small and definitely good enough !
U23s is just a renaming of the reserves, look at who played in our games last season, the age restrictions are pretty relaxed.
Sarkic is one of the keepers in the U23 squad so he's not taking game time from anyone, he's only 19 remember.
The bit about the Blues game is misrepresenting the argument, he'd be the 3rd choice if we sell Bunn and if we keep Bunn and loan out Steer he'd still be the 3rd choice. The argument there is whether we keep Steer and Bunn sitting in the stands so that there's absolutely no chance of Sarkic being needed. My view is that when you have a first team squad that is far too big and are trying to make savings towards FFP you just can't carry 3 first team goalkeepers. Sarkic is fine as 3rd choice who will probably not play (unless we have an injury crisis) so the choice is between Steer or Bunn and the other one should be moved on.
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Steer played a decent season at Huddersfield and pretty sure he's actually played more games at this level than Mark Bunn has, bemusing that RDM and SB have had him below Bunn in the pecking order.
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Steer had a bad injury though. Maybe he will be 2 and Bunn 3 if he proves his fitness this season. Certainly did ok at Huddersfield. Bunn is rubbish. Hopefully Johnstone can kick on and become a real asset. A bit like Foster has for Albion or Heaton at Burnley.
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Steer and Bunn are not good enough to be first team. I'd keep Steer as a second choice (or loan him out with an option to recall him).
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it does surprise me that we seem to be after players with experience and yet the goal keeper - will be one of our younger regulars! - i would have thought that we would have had a more experienced keeper for next season.
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I do tend to agree though Johnstone improved
I'm sure there are youngsters at the likes of Chelsea or Man City who would walk into our midfield for example
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Steer and Bunn are not good enough to be first team. I'd keep Steer as a second choice (or loan him out with an option to recall him).
You would keep Steer as second choice even though he's not good enough to be in the first team?
What's the point?
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Steer and Bunn are not good enough to be first team. I'd keep Steer as a second choice (or loan him out with an option to recall him).
You would keep Steer as second choice even though he's not good enough to be in the first team?
What's the point?
Because he's better than Bunn? It's a fairly low bar to be honest.
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I like Sarkic. Only seen him twice and once Live and both times I was mightily impressed. There again, my ability to call players on their potential has been more miss than hit.
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Steer and Bunn are not good enough to be first team. I'd keep Steer as a second choice (or loan him out with an option to recall him).
You would keep Steer as second choice even though he's not good enough to be in the first team?
What's the point?
Because he's better than Bunn? It's a fairly low bar to be honest.
But still not good enough for 1st team duties
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There again, my ability to call players on their potential has been more miss than hit.
Your talent is smelling a rat at ownership level, far more important.
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Have we actually confirmed this deal yet or have i missed it ?
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Have we actually confirmed this deal yet or have i missed it ?
Still at "close to agreeing terms" stage per Sky
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is this a year loan to get round Football Fair play and then new contract as he will be out of contract ?
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is this a year loan to get round Football Fair play and then new contract as he will be out of contract ?
Does money spent on loan agreements and wages count under FFP?
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is this a year loan to get round Football Fair play and then new contract as he will be out of contract ?
Knowing how much the FA love us, we'll get promoted and then punished with relegation over our FFP interpretations.
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is this a year loan to get round Football Fair play and then new contract as he will be out of contract ?
Does money spent on loan agreements and wages count under FFP?
Don't ask me about FFP. I'm pretty sure they make it up as they go along.
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Well, we can cross Stuart Taylor off the list of potential keepers next season, thanks to this epic announcement.
Saints sense of humour (https://twitter.com/SouthamptonFC/status/885551913856630784)
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is this a year loan to get round Football Fair play and then new contract as he will be out of contract ?
Does money spent on loan agreements and wages count under FFP?
Don't ask me about FFP. I'm pretty sure they make it up as they go along.
Yours is the only explanation that makes sense to me.
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I've done some in depth research into the way FFP works - so far other clubs breaking FFP rules have been subject to a fine and/or a transfer embargo; when Aston Villa break FFP rules the club will be subject to a points deduction equal to or more than the number of points required to ensure they are not promoted and/or sufficient to ensure they are relegated.
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So has Johnstone signed or not?
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So has Johnstone signed or not?
Closing in. We've been closing in for so long now we're standing on his feet, nose to nose.
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Maybe we are having to wait until the media team produce the most fantastic signing video ever produced.
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Closing in my arse! the pace of this transfer could best be described as glacial
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Signed season loan
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Welcome back Sam.
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Do well please Sam.
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Hopefully we get the late season form all season this time. Good signing if we do.
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Not sure that Johnstone is what we need as a number one keeper. I hope he has a stormer and proves me wrong.
Just would have preferred an experienced number one, even for just one season.
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Seemed a decent keeper once he settled. Certainly won't be our weakest link this season and gives some consistency. With the players in front of him should we get rid of Richards and Elphick and sign Samba, we will have one of the strongest back 4 or 5 units in the league if not the strongest.
His interview suggests he is not the sharpest tool in the box mind.
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We've had a few of those. I'd rather we just picked the best man available, regardless of age.
He seemed to be improving as the season went on, which is a good sign for a young keeper.
Happy with this announcement.
Plus, he called me "mate" at Wigan. Box office, me.
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I'm glad we've got him back good keeper.
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Darren always says what I'm thinking, better than I can say it.
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Darren always says what I'm thinking, better than I can say it.
And without swearing.
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I'm totally on the fence about him, he's ok, he saves stuff you'd expect and doesn't make many more errors than most in this league but he's not going to pull off world class saves or spot a gap and set us away to score with a quick kick/throw. He's a bit Vanilla for me and I suspect Gollini will be a better keeper than him in a couple of years.
Fine with him on loan though and if it helps keep Bunn away from the team then I'm happy.
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I'm totally on the fence about him, he's, he saves stuff you'd expect and doesn't make many more errors than most in this league but he's not going to pull off world class saves or spot a gap and set us away to score with a quick kick/throw. He's a bit Vanilla for me and I suspect Gollini will be a better keeper than him in a couple of years.
Fine with him on loan though and if it helps keep Bunn away from the team then I'm happy.
I was too, then watching a match-winning performance at Wigan convinced me.
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Think he's a good keeper. A full Champ season can set him up nicely potentially for our return to the Prem, where I'd expect us to sign him permanently. I think if we get a settled defence it'll help. I would imagine we will be somewhat settled. Much as I'm not Terry's biggest fan, his ability to organise a backline will also be invaluable in certain games.
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Good signing.
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Excellent signing, should hit the ground running, way better than Bunn, hopefully Steer will be number 2.
Needs to work on his distribution & occasionally catch rather than punch but they are coachable things that we have a goalkeeper coach for, he does the basics very well and personally I felt he was the most secure keeper we have had since the early times of Friedel.
Two very good signings thus far for a promotion bid....hope we add energy and pace rather than Whelan style 'experience' plodders now
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I'm totally on the fence about him, he's, he saves stuff you'd expect and doesn't make many more errors than most in this league but he's not going to pull off world class saves or spot a gap and set us away to score with a quick kick/throw. He's a bit Vanilla for me and I suspect Gollini will be a better keeper than him in a couple of years.
Fine with him on loan though and if it helps keep Bunn away from the team then I'm happy.
I was too, then watching a match-winning performance at Wigan convinced me.
Is that him and Jedinak you fell in love with that day? You must have been in a happy mood.
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I'm totally on the fence about him, he's, he saves stuff you'd expect and doesn't make many more errors than most in this league but he's not going to pull off world class saves or spot a gap and set us away to score with a quick kick/throw. He's a bit Vanilla for me and I suspect Gollini will be a better keeper than him in a couple of years.
Fine with him on loan though and if it helps keep Bunn away from the team then I'm happy.
I was too, then watching a match-winning performance at Wigan convinced me.
Is that him and Jedinak you fell in love with that day? You must have been in a happy mood.
Ha ha yes. We were shit but those two were outstanding.
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'Steady Eddie' goalkeeper that has the basics to building on as he becomes more experienced. As long as he does not become over confident in his own ability, he should do well.
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He got better the longer he was here. A rare thing to see these past 5 or 6 years in a Villa shirt.
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Is there any chance we can sign him on a permanent basis?
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Is there any chance we can sign him on a permanent basis?
Is there not something in place if we were to go up? Also, isn't he in the last year of his contract?
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I'm definitely sold on him now, his displays last few games have been superb.
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Safe pair of hands pity is distribution is so poor.
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Safe pair of hands pity is distribution is so poor.
Yep, that might count against him in the premier league but he's good in the championship.
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Didn't impress me a huge amount last season so wasn't that keen on getting him back but think he's been excellent since the first day so well done him.
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Didn't impress me a huge amount last season so wasn't that keen on getting him back but think he's been excellent since the first day so well done him.
Pretty much what I was going to write.
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He is as I said a safe pair of hands but he does panic when sending the ball up field
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like most Villa keepers he can't kick the ball with any accuracy - we lose possession every time, but there is no doubt his awareness is better, great save from a Forest free kick late on yesterday.
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I rated him last season and I haven't changed my mind this season. Good for his age and I would back him to get better in the next few years.
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I would like to see him use his full backs to bring the ball out rather than resorting to a wasted punt.
But then look at the full backs and.....
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I always liked him as well. He's even better now he's stopped punching the ball when he can catch it.
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I rate him he will do for me.
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Looks as if they made the right call with Johnstone over Gollini. I’m not sure how obvious a choice it was at the time, but fair dos to the staff for it anyway.
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Looks as if they made the right call with Johnstone over Gollini. I’m not sure how obvious a choice it was at the time, but fair dos to the staff for it anyway.
I never rated Gollini. He made me nervous any time the ball came near him.
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Looks as if they made the right call with Johnstone over Gollini. I’m not sure how obvious a choice it was at the time, but fair dos to the staff for it anyway.
I never rated Gollini. He made me nervous any time the ball came near him.
Not as nervous as he was by all accounts.
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https://twitter.com/avfcchats/status/936714012208844800
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https://twitter.com/avfcchats/status/936714012208844800
lol. He also got right in the face of some diver a few games ago. Maybe Fulham?
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Wasn't convinced by him last season. Saw him in a car park after Wigan away and said "well played". He's been excellent pretty much ever since.
No need to thank me.
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His weakness is corners although Terry’s absence might have something to do with it.
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His weakness is corners although Terry’s absence might have something to do with it.
So true - he is an excellent shot stopper like Kasper. His distribution is average at best and you worry when the ball is high in the air coming across the goal as he is always rooted to his line. Saying that Samba should have got in front of his man yesterday.
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I played semi pro as a keeper way back so I am always more critical of them than other positions.
First thing is that at the this high level of professional goalkeeping they are all great shot stoppers - its all the other attributes that set them apart from the average ones.
1. Command of the area - 6yrd and 18 yard
2. Handling on crosses
3. Decision making on crosses
4. Distribution - by moving the ball quickly
5. Kicking - by clearing lines
1. I think he is ok for 18yrd and comes off his line with good pace and with good effect - always seems alert to danger. 6yrd and I think he is piss poor. He should be commanding and very vocal and demolish everything in his way. Recent games QPR / Ipswich / Leeds - all had strikers head the ball within 2 yards of the goal line - QPR / Leeds resulted in goals and Ipswich we were very lucky to win the free kick. He really needs to assert himself more here to provide some confidence in defence.
2. Very resistant to come for crosses. To the point where he is actually making the defence nervous.
3. I can appreciate that this is a dying skill with all keepers due to miss judgement of the flight due to the new type of ball moving but still most keepers are over 6ft and with arms outstretched and at taking ball at highest point not even Crouch should be able to get a head on the ball. Nothing stops wingers / FB's whipping in crosses if they see the keeper taking them with ease. Conversely if they are aware of a weakness they have the tendency to bombard the box expecting the keeper to be rooted. This causes total confusion between keeper and defenders.
4. When he has the ball in his hands he does hold on to it too long or at the other extreme boots it downfield to absolutely no one. Really needs some coaching on this side of his game
5. Can be wasteful and a bit nervy - I feel there is an error in him each time he kicks to clear.
I know this may sound over critical but I think the basis of a great team is strength from the back and it starts with a confident and able keeper. I like him and think he has potential and is very young for a keeper but experience does not have an impact on some of the fundamentals of the role on more the reading of the game.
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I like Sam and he will continue to develop. Keepers don't mature until late 20's early 30's really. Personally if West Ham went down I'd go for Adrian. Never seen him have a bad game and he's very unfortunate to lose his spot to Joe Hart who is more a household name the Sullivan/Gold/Brady fell in love with than a really good goalkeeper.
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I like Sam and he will continue to develop. Keepers don't mature until late 20's early 30's really. Personally if West Ham went down I'd go for Adrian. Never seen him have a bad game and he's very unfortunate to lose his spot to Joe Hart who is more a household name the Sullivan/Gold/Brady fell in love with than a really good goalkeeper.
That's a good shout. But was Hart dropped or injured last week?
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I like Sam and he will continue to develop. Keepers don't mature until late 20's early 30's really. Personally if West Ham went down I'd go for Adrian. Never seen him have a bad game and he's very unfortunate to lose his spot to Joe Hart who is more a household name the Sullivan/Gold/Brady fell in love with than a really good goalkeeper.
That's a good shout. But was Hart dropped or injured last week?
Couldn’t play against his parent club.
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Good post, Hookey. Agree completely about his 6 yard box. It controls him. On Friday night Leeds had a corner and was pushing Samba on his goal line who was marking their attacker. There was not a chance in a million Sam was going to get the ball. Not sure what's happened to him as earlier on in the season I thought he controlled his box very well, now he runs out and misses crosses. He's made me a bit more nervous these last few games.
As for his kicking, I'm a fan. He can get some real distance on them especially from a dead ball. Of course he can improve but it's the least of his problems.
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Different game with such a light ball that’s why keepers are being developed and coached to stick on their line. Sam is only young and already can see him developing. His weakest aspect of his game is his distribution it’s about on par with a c minus
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Completely agree Hookey regarding the 6 yard box.
Most coaches are telling keepers to punch any cross within 3 yards of the goal line.
Most defences agree where the keepers territory ends regarding corners.
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ManU have extended his contract another year
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Shame. I suppose we should assume he is offski next season then? Another position to fill I guess?
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It was their call. If we don’t get promoted he may stay. If we go up we may have to look somewhere else.
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They are just making sure they get the maximum wedge when they sell him.
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Looks like now or never purchase for Sam. We just have to do the deal
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Couple of reports on the web that Johnstone will be recalled in Jan and sold to the Stripey Filth.
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Hope this is BS
BREAKING: speculation suggests West Brom have agreed a £4m fee for Sam Johnstone who will be recalled immediately #AVFC
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That would be very disappointing.
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That would be very disappointing.
It would if the fee is only £4m.
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well sounds like we may need a new 'keeper on loan unless Bruce intends to try Jedinak there
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The story started with a site called TEAMtalk so I wouldn't panic yet. Although they have a Facebook page dedicated to Manure that has 400 followers so maybe they are ITK.
This is the story on their website.
Manchester United are poised to recall goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from his loan spell at Aston Villa after West Brom reportedly agreed an undisclosed fee with West Brom.
The 24-year-old stopper joined Villa on loan for a second spell over the summer, but United included a recall clause in January should they receive an offer for the goalkeeper.
And sources have told TEAMtalk that West Brom are on the brink of a deal for the Manchester United custodian having agreed an undisclosed fee of around £4million for the former England U21 international.
West Brom’s interest in Johnstone dates back to the Tony Pulis era at The Hawthorns, but we understand his successor Alan Pardew will push through with the transfer, with the arrangement having already been put in place.
Although United rate Johnstone highly, he is behind David De Gea, Sergio Romero and Joel Pereira in the Old Trafford pecking order.
And with his contract due to expire in June, United have decided to cash in now once the window opens.
Our sources say the deal will go through early in January, with the player set to arrive at The Hawthorns and provide Ben Foster with strong cover and competition for the No 1 shirt at the club.
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Where is Gollini now? And does he play ?
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That would be very disappointing.
It would if the fee is only £4m.
And would say something ominous about our financial situation.
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Where is Gollini now? And does he play ?
rarely from the look of it. depends if we inserted a clause to recall him. Bunn in goal is probably more likely ::)
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Where is Gollini now? And does he play ?
Apparently, hes refusing to come back if recalled, something to do with the way Bruce treated him.
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Where is Gollini now? And does he play ?
Apparently, hes refusing to come back if recalled, something to do with the way Bruce treated him.
He wasnt good enough anyway.
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If we can't use 4m of the Amavi fee to get Johnstone there is something seriously wrong.
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I don't think he would sign for us now. Our main hope is he digs his heels in and come the summer, WBA won't be in any better position than we are now.
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Baggies are desperate to stay up - so if this rumour is true they are looking to a) have decent cover should their current keeper get injured and b) they are shitting themselves at the thought that they might go down and we go up - so would do what they can to mess up our chances (slim as they are)
Surely Sam can see he he'd worse off going to play 2nd fiddle at a second rate team - it's time to prove we are still the best team in the Midlands
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I'm still not totally sold on him, as I still think there are areas of his game which are questionable (his ability to deal with aerial balls into the box and his distribution being the two major ones). That said, him leaving would mean either giving Steer a run in the side or bringing in a replacement, which would both be a bit of a risk at an important stage of the season.
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Where is Gollini now? And does he play ?
Apparently, hes refusing to come back if recalled, something to do with the way Bruce treated him.
He wasnt good enough anyway.
No argument. If Johnstone does go, then Jed Steer is a promising replacement.
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I'm still not totally sold on him, as I still think there are areas of his game which are questionable (his ability to deal with aerial balls into the box and his distribution being the two major ones). That said, him leaving would mean either giving Steer a run in the side or bringing in a replacement, which would both be a bit of a risk at an important stage of the season.
This is the issue for me. I don't think he's good enough at the bits and pieces jobs to be a starter if we're promoted so I'm not sure I'd want us spending the little money we have available on making him permanent. Keeping the loan going until the summer and then seeing where we are is a much better idea for me if we can arrange it.
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Smethwick would probably take the piss and loan him back to us for the rest of the season.
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Steer has looked decent in his games this season, and has played at this level before.
Could not believe Tim Krul is now reserve at Brighton, thought he was a decent keeper at Newcastle. There must be a viable loan option out there if it does turn out to be true. He would be mad to take a move to Albion though. Pardew looks clueless there.
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Unless it was clearly a once in a lifetime career move opportunity then I can’t see him deciding his permanent future this month.
If he has any good guidance around him it would be see the season out and see what your options are in the summer (naturally there will be more than in Jan)
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Sam Johnstone has told his ‘close pals’ he’s joining West Brom. [express & star] #avfc
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What an idiotic move.
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Let’s make sure we wave at him on the way past in the summer.
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That would be a very short sighted and stupid move.
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Sam Johnstone has told his ‘close pals’ he’s joining West Brom. [express & star] #avfc
Not what the Express and Star website is saying:-
https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2017/12/31/west-brom-interested-in-aston-villa-loanee-sam-johnstone-but-priorities-currently-lie-elsewhere/
Edit - sorry, re-read it and it does say that.
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Sam Johnstone has told his ‘close pals’ he’s joining West Brom. [express & star] #avfc
Not what the Express and Star website is saying:-
https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2017/12/31/west-brom-interested-in-aston-villa-loanee-sam-johnstone-but-priorities-currently-lie-elsewhere/
Well it does actually say that further into the article.
God knows what the attraction to Albion is, I mean they’re bloody rock bottom of the PL. Perhaps we won’t cough up the money for him?
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He'd be daft signing full time for them, or us, this window imo.
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Don't Man U have a say in this?
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Don't Man U have a say in this?
I guess they can say yes or no.
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Don't Man U have a say in this?
I'd say they're the only party that has a say. If they wanna flog him now, they can. He was their fourth choice keeper, I don't think he's improved enough to change that.
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Don't Man U have a say in this?
I'd say they're the only party that has a say. If they wanna flog him now, they can. He was their fourth choice keeper, I don't think he's improved enough to change that.
The chances of Sam Johnstone becoming Man United's regular first choice goalkeeper are, in my opinion, slim to none.
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It would be very disappointing to lose our arguably Player of the Season to date. To be understudy at that rabble? Can't see it happening myself.
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It may all boil down to the accountants at man utd.
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I never understand why excellent keepers choose to understudy at a big club. Yes, go there with the intention of being number one, but when it's obvious it's not going to happen, what a waste of a career if you don't look to move on. Johnstone can be great but he needs competitive playing time.
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It would be very disappointing to lose our arguably Player of the Season to date. To be understudy at that rabble? Can't see it happening myself.
We don't have much say in the matter
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I’d take Myhill back he always seems decent to me.
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I must admit that I've got to the point now after the last few years that I can't get worked up about any individual player leaving now. C'est la vie.
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I must admit that I've got to the point now after the last few years that I can't get worked up about any individual player leaving now. C'est la vie.
Exactly my feelings too Richard. If they want out, then bye bye, it won't impact too heavily on my life. We have no control over it anyway do we?
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Holding club obviously have the whip hand. He had a great season at PNE and wanted to stay, thwarted by the (bogus) De Gea nonsense.
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Where is Gollini now? And does he play ?
Apparently, hes refusing to come back if recalled, something to do with the way Bruce treated him.
He wasnt good enough anyway.
I thought he was ok tbh
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I must admit that I've got to the point now after the last few years that I can't get worked up about any individual player leaving now. C'est la vie.
Exactly my feelings too Richard. If they want out, then bye bye, it won't impact too heavily on my life. We have no control over it anyway do we?
Same.
Good keeper though. Would prefer he stays, but if not. Well it is what it is.
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he's not our player so I can't get upset about it, other than the fact that he's the best of an average collection of goalkeepers at the club.
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I would go as far to say, without Johnstone we will not get promotion in any guise this season. steer too inexperienced, Bunn is just not agile enough.
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Is Gollini still our player? Is he doing any good at his current club?
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Is Gollini still our player? Is he doing any good at his current club?
Atalanta are doing fine. Fourth last season, going well in this one.
He isn't playing though. His loan run out at the end of this season.
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Is Gollini still our player? Is he doing any good at his current club?
Yes, and according to the web has made either 4 or 6 appearances for Atalanta since January...which probably tells you all you need to know about how impressed they are.
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Thanks both!
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I must admit that I've got to the point now after the last few years that I can't get worked up about any individual player leaving now. C'est la vie.
Exactly my feelings too Richard. If they want out, then bye bye, it won't impact too heavily on my life. We have no control over it anyway do we?
Same.
Good keeper though. Would prefer he stays, but if not. Well it is what it is.
Agree - think he has done pretty well for us, best in terms of consistency since Freidel (nowhere near as good) - not saying much.
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I think considering his age Johnstone has been superb and I think he'll end up being a top quality keeper for years to come. We could really do with signing him.
As for Gollini, same with Tshibola, whoever recommended the signing wants putting in the stocks outside Villa Park on match days with free vegetables on hand.
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I would go as far to say, without Johnstone we will not get promotion in any guise this season. steer too inexperienced, Bunn is just not agile enough.
I wouldn't say Steer is too inexperienced. He's played a season in the Championship, on loan at Huddersfield.
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We'll just sign someone else on loan.
I wouldn't be against giving Steer a run but we'd be down to two senior keepers and hardly any club risks that nowadays.
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Our keepers are all shite we would definitely need to replace with as good if not better keeper if he goes.
Personally I can’t see him going in January to West Brom, they have much bigger priorities in other areas.
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I’d take Myhill back he always seems decent to me.
my first thought as well
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Unless any contract offered by WBA to SJ is for stupid money, it would be a really strange move to become (probable) backup keeper for a team heading for relegation.
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Albion need to be focusing on signing creative players, goalkeeper is the least of their problems.
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Where is Gollini now? And does he play ?
Apparently, hes refusing to come back if recalled, something to do with the way Bruce treated him.
He wasnt good enough anyway.
I thought he was ok tbh
Agree.
Johnson was no better than Gollini in his first season with us, although he has certainly improved this season
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Where is Gollini now? And does he play ?
Apparently, hes refusing to come back if recalled, something to do with the way Bruce treated him.
We will see how keen he is to come back if we cancel his loan and he stops getting paid.
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Bruce said he spoke to Mourinho a couple of days ago and nothing was mentioned about Johnstone leaving.
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Chances are Man U are using us to increase his transfer value (he’ll never play for them). Ironically, with the extra year, I could see him back at Villa next season too.
I think all parties will have done okay from that arrangement.
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From The Doc:
@Dr_TonyXia
1h1 hour ago
More
Just like all stories to fill with newspaper space. He will be with us, hopefully we go up then he will be permanently. I think Villa is his fortunate place.. .
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They can't sell him from under us anyway. We paid a loan fee and he is contracted to us for the season. Unless we agree it then he goes nowhere (Unless there is some kind of highly unusual "All bets are off come January" clause in there).
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They can't sell him from under us anyway. We paid a loan fee and he is contracted to us for the season. Unless we agree it then he goes nowhere (Unless there is some kind of highly unusual "All bets are off come January" clause in there).
January recall option apparently, so he could be recalled and then sold. Unlikely unless they get a good offer and he wants to go.
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From The Doc:
@Dr_TonyXia
1h1 hour ago
More
Just like all stories to fill with newspaper space. He will be with us, hopefully we go up then he will be permanently. I think Villa is his fortunate place.. .
I know there are downsides but I do like the way Tone comes and dispells rumours on twitter or at least tells us what he knows. It makes life a lot less stressful.
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We have to remember the story broke in the Baggies loving/Villa hating Express and Star
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We have to remember the story broke in the Baggies loving/Villa hating Express and Star
Didn't it 'break' on teamtalk which is just the original clickbait service.
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This kid is improving all the time. Signing him permanently is an absolute priority in the summer. Brilliant again tonight.
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Very good again.
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Immense
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Great solid performance my Man of the Match.
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He will in the premier next season with our without us
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This kid is improving all the time. Signing him permanently is an absolute priority in the summer. Brilliant again tonight.
This chap could be an international. He'll be Premier League next season come what may.
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He's the difference between us chasing top 2 rather than chasing top 6 imo.
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He has to be our first signing in the summer. Mark my words, he will playing for England in the not to distant future ;)
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He has to be our first signing in the summer. Mark my words, he will playing for England in the not to distant future ;)
I'd like to think we've started the process of signing him now rather than wait until summer to start negotiations.
If we don't go up, he certainly won't be with us next season, though.
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Commanding his six yard box is something he needs to work on, which will come with experience. He did make everything look really easy last night, especially the save in the second half low down to his right.
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Played well for sure but I didn't think any of the saves were ones you were surprised he made.
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He's the difference between us chasing top 2 rather than chasing top 6 imo.
Agreed. Superb again last night. As J66ad said, he makes everything look easy but of the 6 great saves he made that one save in the second half to his right was absolutely brilliant and saved us yet again. I also love the fact he very rarely spills the ball. Player of the Season so far for me.
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I tweeted Dr Tony to get Sam signed up asap we really need him here full time I don't think Dr Tony will take a blind bit of notice to what I want but I hope we get him permanently.
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His kicking isn't great and needs a lot of work but he's agile and makes great saves which is the priority you'd think.
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He's the one, undoubted, top half premier league player we have in the squad. If we go up it's the first signing we need to make.
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He's the one, undoubted, top half premier league player we have in the squad. If we go up it's the first signing we need to make.
How can he be 'undoubted' at that level when he's never played in the premier league? He's a great shot stopper which is enough to make him one of top 2-3 keepers in the championship but agianst the best sides you need to command your box at corners and set pieces and be 'big' and quick to cut out one-on-ones, neither of which really applies to him right now. On top of that his kicking game isn't great which slows down our counter-attacking options.
He might improve if exposed to that environment but there's no guarantee about it.
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Johnstone has always looked flaky at corners, he needs to address that.
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I can forgive him two cock-ups in two matches. It happens.
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I can forgive him two cock-ups in two matches. It happens.
Jedinak didn’t help him with that shit headed clearance from the corner.
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Did a great save 2nd half. We go again.
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To be honest I think the 2 defenders behind him when he flapped the ball into the net should shoulder some of the blame for the goal tonight. There was clearly no communication from them
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I hear there were ironic cheers when he caught the ball after their goal?
There really is a minority of idiots at villa park
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He needs to stop fannying around flapping at corners and trying to punch half heartedly - trying catching the ball ffs
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Same with the booing at half time.
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Same with the booing at half time.
Unfortunately booers like to boo, pathetic!
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According to reports, Manchester United have triggered a one year extension to his contract.
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They have to, otherwise he goes for free
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Has suffered with a drop of confidence suppose doesn’t help when even terry has only been firing at 90%
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He needs to watch a few Schmeichel videos (Snr) and learn how to wipe out the box.
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He needs to watch a few Schmeichel videos (Snr) and learn how to wipe out the box.
Is that some sort of sexual innuendo, Brian?😁
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He needs to watch a few Schmeichel videos (Snr) and learn how to wipe out the box.
Is that some sort of sexual innuendo, Brian?😁
He's gonna take his broom and sweep Brian's yard!
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My yard is as clean as a Small Heath VD clinic I will have you know.
When Nigel Sims got miffed with being shoulder barged on the goal line, especially by Tottenham, the Holte joke was that it was "smelling salts time".
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He once laid Bobby Smith out for a full ten minutes. It was said that they felt the tremor in Corporation St.
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I rate Johnstone and hope we sign him permanently. I reckon he will go on to play for England. I am posting this in the full knowledge that if I am right nobody will remember I said it and if he is Walsall's back up goalkeeper in a couple of years someone will remember what I said and throw it back in my face.
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I agree, I like him too. See the mail have spun it as "Villa now need to stump up millions if we're going to sign him!"
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Personally I don't think he has a cat in hells chance of playing for England!
He is okay, his commanding of the area is non-existent, he is hesitant when/if coming for crosses but his shot stopping is outstanding that is what has got him as far as this.
It all really depends on what league we are in next season as I would imagine that he would like to try the PL if possible.
If we don't get promoted it won't even be an option as with FFP we know we are going to have cut costs even more.
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If, I mean "when" we go up, we should fork out the money and sign him. He seems to have fitted in to what seems a very well bonded group and we need to keep the belief and core of that together for next year with the clear need to improve in various areas. Also, we know what we are getting with Johnstone, better the devil etc.... and he can work on dealing with corners and distribution over the Summer!
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I agree, we should move heaven and earth to sign him at the end of the season dependant on FFP of course. I believe he is improving nearly every match and will continue to do so. I hope he is ambitious and I hope we can match his aspirations. Agree again, we need to build on the core next season, i.e. Johnstone, Chester, Grealish, Snodgrass.........
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Sorry but I disagree - he is a great shot stopper - but they all are at that level
Other fundamentals in the art of modern goalkeeping
Kicking
Quick distribution
Domination of 6 yard box
Cross calculation and collection
Management verbally of the back 4
He is found wanting a lot in these areas I am afraid
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He's an excellent shot stopper, in fact he's Bozzie level in that regard. He seems keen to punch when perhaps he should catch it, but as long as he gets distance on it, I'm not too bothered.
Its not about dominating your box, its about the centre halves knowing what you're going to do so you can operate as a unit. By and large that's worked well, but I think his confidence has taken a bit of a knock recently and you start to think about decisions rather than deciding what to do out of instinct.
He kicks to a consistent plan. That's management and coaching.
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Above average championship keeper but would struggle higher up where distribution is the key. Can only kick with one peg and even then it is hit and miss
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The best keeper we've probably ever had couldn't kick to save his life and Johnstone's better than Bozzie at that. He's told to aim for Snoddy or Elmo.
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Its not about dominating your box,
I have to disagree
The very good keepers dominate everything within the 6 yard area - the true great keepers dominate the 18 yard box as well.
In the 6 yard area anything in the way of the ball is clattered as you come for it. If it is low or high it is yours - in fact if it is high then you take it at its highest point and in the 6 yard box once committed no one could out jump you unless they foul you.
Over time the confidence is built into defenders that anything in there will result in a call and a take. Fail to do that and hesitancy in the 6 yard box can mean chaos with defenders
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Its about organisation for me. The crowd like to see a keeper come marauding through a stack of players and if that works, fine, but if the centre halves know its their job to deal with the aerial threat and they know where the keeper is going to be, then you are dominating your box.
That said Johnstone does come for the high ball, depending on depth of the cross, he just chooses to punch more often than not.
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Bozzie better than rimmer no no no. But at least the Aussie could punt sfor netimes the ball which Johnstone can’t seem to achieve consistently. I would say he is the modern type of keeper good on his line but as Guzan found out poor distribution is quickly punished in the premiership. This is why I think steer will also struggle
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Above average championship keeper but would struggle higher up where distribution is the key. Can only kick with one peg and even then it is hit and miss
Distribution is coachable - it's up to the player and the coaches to sort it out.
I wouldn't like to guess how effective he is at organising the players around him: that, for me, is probably the single most important attribute of a decent keeper (over and above the obvious skills required to be considered in the first place).
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Dont forget 24 is young for a goalkeeper, and a lot of his flaws are things that can be coached
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Johnstone consistently finding the wing. His distribution isn't that bad and he's playing to instructions.
Bozzie was world class in every aspect apart from his kicking, especially from the ground, which was atrocious.
That performance up at Roker Park was phenomenal. I've yet to see anything like it in the 24 and a bit years since.
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Johnstone consistently finding the wing. His distribution isn't that bad and he's playing to instructions.
Bozzie was world class in every aspect apart from his kicking, especially from the ground, which was atrocious.
That performance up at Roker Park was phenomenal. I've yet to see anything like it in the 24 and a bit years since.
We were comprehensively outplayed and won 4-1!
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I know, it was ace. Imagine if it had been against Sheffield Wednesday? They'd still be writing letters now.
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Those two League Cup winning runs were just bloody brilliant. Beating Spurs and Arsenal away, coming back from 2-0 down at Highbury and playing them off the park, doing Blose home and away, the Tranmere second leg. Everything apart from Tranmere away.
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I pointed out on here a couple of months ago that Bosnich was the best Villa keeper in my forty years as a supporter and for me was on his way to being one of the best in the world. I also pointed out that his massive weakness was his kicking. Somebody replied to my post by quite rightly pointing out that Bosnich had worked his way up to being a top goalkeeper just before the back pass rule was introduced so probably hadn't worked on his kicking from a young age like modern keepers would.
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I'm still very much on the fence about Johnstone. He's a very good shotstopper, too good for this league in fact. The problem is he doesn't stand out in this league because there's nothing else that great about his game. We've looked ropey from corners for months because he doesn't command his 6 yard box but also doesn't communicate well with the defence. On top of that he slows everything down, we never counter attack at pace and a lack of vision from Johnstone is a big part of it (and poor throwing and kicking adds to it as well). He's also looked a bit suspect from one-on-ones a few times but we defend deep enough that he doesn't have many to deal with, I'm not sure we'll get away with that if w're promoted.
I don't think he's a bad keeper, I just don't think he's ready to be first choice in the premier league but I suspect (if we go up) we'll sign him to be that and end up looking for another keeper in January when his confidence is completely shot because teams have targeted his weaknesses. I'm glad Man U added the extra year so we have to think it through much more than we would've if he was a free, I don't think it alone will be enough though and sentimentality will mean he's first choice regardless.
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I'm still very much on the fence about Johnstone. He's a very good shotstopper, too good for this league in fact. The problem is he doesn't stand out in this league because there's nothing else that great about his game. We've looked ropey from corners for months because he doesn't command his 6 yard box but also doesn't communicate well with the defence. On top of that he slows everything down, we never counter attack at pace and a lack of vision from Johnstone is a big part of it (and poor throwing and kicking adds to it as well). He's also looked a bit suspect from one-on-ones a few times but we defend deep enough that he doesn't have many to deal with, I'm not sure we'll get away with that if w're promoted.
I don't think he's a bad keeper, I just don't think he's ready to be first choice in the premier league but I suspect (if we go up) we'll sign him to be that and end up looking for another keeper in January when his confidence is completely shot because teams have targeted his weaknesses. I'm glad Man U added the extra year so we have to think it through much more than we would've if he was a free, I don't think it alone will be enough though and sentimentality will mean he's first choice regardless.
Without a doubt will be properly found out in the premiership where everything is that tad sharper
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I like him. He's much better than last season. He'll be much better again next season. He'll definitely play for England and we should sign him up if we have the opportunity to do so. I think it's most likely that he'll go on loan to a Premier League team next season. Hopefully us.
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Jack Butland been talking up Sam Johnstone for England World Cup call up. Perhaps he knows something and that Johnstone being looked at?
"They certainly have a Premier League keeper and that is a big thing for them. I don’t live too far away from Sam and I bump into him a lot."
“It is great to see him playing consistently. He has found a home and a club that cares for him, which is so important."
“There is more than just me, Joe and Jordan fighting for the England shirt – Sam is firmly in the mix as well.”
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I pointed out on here a couple of months ago that Bosnich was the best Villa keeper in my forty years as a supporter and for me was on his way to being one of the best in the world. I also pointed out that his massive weakness was his kicking. Somebody replied to my post by quite rightly pointing out that Bosnich had worked his way up to being a top goalkeeper just before the back pass rule was introduced so probably hadn't worked on his kicking from a young age like modern keepers would.
He would have still had to have taken goal kicks though and they were shocking when he first came through. He obviously did work on it because his kicking improved over the years, but the rest of his game was top class.
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Johnstone going to the world cup will only bump his price up. Great for him and I hope he makes it, but we will probably have to think of other options if that happens, even with promotion.
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Like I've said before I really want us to sign him up in the summer he can only get better.
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Johnstone is a decent goalie.
Alex Smithies is better.
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Sam will not be attending church on Easter Sunday - apparently he doesn't come out for crosses
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Johnstone consistently finding the wing. His distribution isn't that bad and he's playing to instructions.
Bozzie was world class in every aspect apart from his kicking, especially from the ground, which was atrocious.
That performance up at Roker Park was phenomenal. I've yet to see anything like it in the 24 and a bit years since.
We were comprehensively outplayed and won 4-1!
Highlights of the game off the Brilliant Villaboy youtube channel.
Bozzie masterclass, how on earth did he claw that header out from the top corner.
Dalian in his pomp.
Cracking ball from Richardson for the first goal aswell.
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I hope he goes to West Ham.
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I hope he goes to West Ham.
Why?
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because I don't rate him - his kicking is totally diabolical and he can't command his area . He doesn't know when to punch and when to collect. Etc.
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Again a very good shot stopper. There are better goalies out there at Championship level or below - The QPR one for starters.
Doesn't move off his line freely at corners, his distribution from the one leg he can kick with is poor to say the least. It's harsh I know but my honest assessment of an average keeper who would struggle playing against sharper attackers.
I wouldn't make him a priority if we go up - football is a hard faced game and we can't have any sentiment if we are to survive in the premiership next season.
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I like Johnstone and I think he has saved or won us quite a few points this season.
But, I can’t help thinking that nerves are starting to get to him.
I think he was the worst he has been during the Hull game with very poor kicking and for me, he appeared to be indecisive with his decisions.
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Johnstone consistently finding the wing. His distribution isn't that bad and he's playing to instructions.
Bozzie was world class in every aspect apart from his kicking, especially from the ground, which was atrocious.
That performance up at Roker Park was phenomenal. I've yet to see anything like it in the 24 and a bit years since.
We were comprehensively outplayed and won 4-1!
Highlights of the game off the Brilliant Villaboy youtube channel.
Bozzie masterclass, how on earth did he claw that header out from the top corner.
Dalian in his pomp.
Cracking ball from Richardson for the first goal aswell.
Midfield players getting into the box (and scoring), Dalian just superb, pace, pace and more pace, then you had a proper goalkeeper on top of all that, those were the days!
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Don't rate Johnstone, far too indecisive for me.
The defence just doesn't know what he is going to do, nowhere near England ability!
Much preferred Bentley who ended up at Brentford and we could have got him for peanuts.
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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/apr/10/sam-johnstone-aston-villa-manchester-united-loan-goalkeeper
This reads as if he's gone if Villa don't get promoted, which is probably fair enough
“It’s been fun getting games in and getting different experiences but I’m 25 now and ready to settle. Hopefully Villa get promoted and we’ll take things from there.”
Last night's performance will only increase his suitors
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I think he deserves a shot at the top, hope it’s with us it if not I’d wish him well. He’s been superb this year, with a few exceptions.
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Don't rate Johnstone, far too indecisive for me.
The defence just doesn't know what he is going to do, nowhere near England ability!
Much preferred Bentley who ended up at Brentford and we could have got him for peanuts.
He used to be indecisive, but now he's not so sure...
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Don't rate Johnstone, far too indecisive for me.
The defence just doesn't know what he is going to do, nowhere near England ability!
Much preferred Bentley who ended up at Brentford and we could have got him for peanuts.
He used to be indecisive, but now he's not so sure...
LOL
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he pulled off one amazing and one very good save last night but his kicking is beyond awful.
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Best game for months last night.
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he pulled off one amazing and one very good save last night but his kicking is beyond awful.
A few went astray last night but it is not beyond awful. Bozzy's kicking was beyond awful.
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Neil Etheridge struggle to kick properly aswell.
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He's a good keeper. Shame he's going to the Alb... oh
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Not being able to kick a football very well hasn't stopped a lot of players making numerous appearances for us over the last 6 years.
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Not being able to kick a football very well hasn't stopped a lot of players making numerous appearances for us over the last 6 years.
And in positions where you'd argue it was more important than it is for a goalkeeper.
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It would be great to have a keeper signed up, reliable and decent for the next, say, five years. Whether that is SJ or not, I'm not that fussed about. He's ok but not in the top class bracket just yet. He might get there with good coaching and by playing at the faster pace of the premier league. Would I be upset if he went elsewhere? Not really. Would I be upset if he signs for us with our er, sponsorship money? No. Not fussed either way.
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his kicking is awful - I watch him regularly and invariably we loose possession from it.
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His kicking bothers me but nothing like as much as his indecisiveness from crosses. Far too often he ends up 3-4 yards off his line doing nothing to cut out crosses and being in a poor position to deal with the chances that come from them. He is a great shot stopper and often manages to throw himself in front of those shots but if he had some command of his box he'd not be in that position in the first place. He flapped at 3-4 crosses on Tuesday and had to make a few saves because of it but against better sides they'll bury those chances,
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Must just be me then but I find the negativity in this thread a little strange, I think he's a fantastic goalkeeper.
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his kicking is awful - I watch him regularly and invariably we loose possession from it.
I had put that down to a tactical decision.
Not deliberately giving the ball away, but rather that it seems 90% of Johnstone's kicks get directed to Snodgrass with the other 10% going to whoever's up front on their own. Invariably, doing that when the nearest Villa player to either of them is 30 yards away is likely to end with us losing possession.
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Must just be me then but I find the negativity in this thread a little strange, I think he's a fantastic goalkeeper.
I wouldn't go so far to say fantastic but I think he's been pretty decent for us overall. I hope we get to keep him.
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Must just be me then but I find the negativity in this thread a little strange, I think he's a fantastic goalkeeper.
For his age, you will do well to find better. Too many goalkeeping experts on the forum these days. Let's be honest, if we don't go up he'll be snapped up by a PL club and we will be mourning his loss in a few years.
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Must just be me then but I find the negativity in this thread a little strange, I think he's a fantastic goalkeeper.
For his age, you will do well to find better. Too many goalkeeping experts on the forum these days. Let's be honest, if we don't go up he'll be snapped up by a PL club and we will be mourning his loss in a few years.
That sounds like the prediction of a goalkeeping expert to me. To many of them around these days.
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Must just be me then but I find the negativity in this thread a little strange, I think he's a fantastic goalkeeper.
For his age, you will do well to find better. Too many goalkeeping experts on the forum these days. Let's be honest, if we don't go up he'll be snapped up by a PL club and we will be mourning his loss in a few years.
That sounds like the prediction of a goalkeeping expert to me. To many of them around these days.
More like common sense/stating the bloody obvious.
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Must just be me then but I find the negativity in this thread a little strange, I think he's a fantastic goalkeeper.
For his age, you will do well to find better. Too many goalkeeping experts on the forum these days. Let's be honest, if we don't go up he'll be snapped up by a PL club and we will be mourning his loss in a few years.
That sounds like the prediction of a goalkeeping expert to me. To many of them around these days.
More like common sense/stating the bloody obvious.
More like you having a different opinion.
That said I've never said Johnstone won't be a good keeper, I just don't think he's ready to play top flight football right now, he's a great shot stopper but that's not enough to be a great goalkeeper, if he knows that and works on the rest of his game then he might well be the keeper that some think he already is.
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Johnstone
distribution 1/10
crosses 5/10
shot stopper 11/10
might help if he didnt keep kicking it up to Verne Troyer but sort that out and Id be very happy to sign him up for good.
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Must just be me then but I find the negativity in this thread a little strange, I think he's a fantastic goalkeeper.
For his age, you will do well to find better. Too many goalkeeping experts on the forum these days. Let's be honest, if we don't go up he'll be snapped up by a PL club and we will be mourning his loss in a few years.
That sounds like the prediction of a goalkeeping expert to me. To many of them around these days.
More like common sense/stating the bloody obvious.
More like you having a different opinion.
That said I've never said Johnstone won't be a good keeper, I just don't think he's ready to play top flight football right now, he's a great shot stopper but that's not enough to be a great goalkeeper, if he knows that and works on the rest of his game then he might well be the keeper that some think he already is.
He's been good enough keeper for where we find ourselves at the moment. He does have flaws though - his kicking and his general command of his area being the main ones. I think the latter will probably come with more experience and the confidence that will bring. As for his kicking, I think opinion is slightly skewed by the fact that he is obviously asked to kick in a very specific way out to Snodgrass on the right wing. The 'in-to-out' strike (right footer kicking to the right wing in this case) is quite an awkward one to execute and he does get it wrong fairly often. If we played two up front and he was just ordered to kick it straight up to them, I don't think he would struggle as much.
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I agree he's been fine this season, other than the odd mistake that you'd expect but, as I've said before, I'd worry about going into a premier league season with him as the only viable option as he has bene this season.
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I agree he's been fine this season, other than the odd mistake that you'd expect but, as I've said before, I'd worry about going into a premier league season with him as the only viable option as he has bene this season.
I'd go along with that Paul. I have found myself having to have a reality check in terms of my expectations of players over the past couple of seasons, for without wishing to be unkind, they are playing in the Championship for a reason. Villa have been a top half top flight team for most of my life and we have had players during that time that have befitted a club in that position, but we wouldn't be able to attract that quality of player in the position we are in now and I sometimes find myself still having unrealistic expectations.
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I agree he's been fine this season, other than the odd mistake that you'd expect but, as I've said before, I'd worry about going into a premier league season with him as the only viable option as he has bene this season.
I don't think I would, and I was pretty sceptical after his first half season.
I also don't think though that he's about to be swept away from us by a Premier League side and on to an England call-up. It wouldn't surprise me if he were our keeper whichever league we're in next season.
I think plenty of Premier League teams would be happy to have him in reserve, but he wouldn't be in the first team of more than a one or two.
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His kicking isn't great but then the rest of the team struggle finding our own players from throw ins and free kicks. And our corners aren't great. Isn't this just part of a general problem at Villa? We seem to struggle with the basics. We don't seem to have much movement so doesn't that make it harder finding someone from any of these situations?
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As you know, I'm no goalkeeping expert but for his age there's massive potential. He's only been playing regularly for just over a year and look at Grealish as an example of how players can improve. Jack had a lot of flaws (some still evident) but is now producing more regularly. With good coaching there's no reason why why SJ can't become a very good keeper. Bosnich couldn't kick for shit but that didn't stop him being arguably our best keeper of the PL years.
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He reminds me of Bosnich. Dodgy distribution, doesn't command his area but a brilliant shot stopper.
He is young and will get better. If we go up we should sign him permanently.
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Appreciated his shot stopping and his efforts and have to say think he developed quite well. Just that kicking stuff needs adjusting!
Thank you SJ and good luck happy keeping
Will be interesting to watch his career now and would have been worthy of a place in squad as no 1 next season if we had gone up.
I have small hopes he would come back again but I guess he ll look to Prem for an opportunity coupled with wages.
If Bruce does stay I think could maybe arrange something with the moaning one at man utd. Here's hoping!
The GK otherwise is a problem position as do we go with a loan or something permanent. And what quality is there.
Blackman from Chelsea could be option if sheff utd aren't taking him again.
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We could try to get Man Utd's Dean Henderson on loan with a view to sign. 21 years old and has just had a very good season with Shrewsbury.
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We could try to get Man Utd's Dean Henderson on loan with a view to sign. 21 years old and has just had a very good season with Shrewsbury.
Shrewsbury have probably got more money than us.
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We could try to get Man Utd's Dean Henderson on loan with a view to sign. 21 years old and has just had a very good season with Shrewsbury.
Shrewsbury have probably got more money than us.
Losing their manager to Ipswich though ..
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We could try to get Man Utd's Dean Henderson on loan with a view to sign. 21 years old and has just had a very good season with Shrewsbury.
Nice shout! In theory however I know little about him though shrews had a good season didn't they!
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If SJ doesn't come back then Jed Steer will be a good replacement.
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Yes. Let's have our own players in key positions rather than developing other clubs players.
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Yes. Let's have our own players in key positions rather than developing other clubs players.
100% agree
It has always been my issue with the loan system. Imagine if we had got up by winning the league (bear with me) then we would all clamour to keep the players that got us there who were on loan but to sign them and then pay full wages we would have spunked the budget without moving forward with anything new
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Yes. Let's have our own players in key positions rather than developing other clubs players.
100% agree
It has always been my issue with the loan system. Imagine if we had got up by winning the league (bear with me) then we would all clamour to keep the players that got us there who were on loan but to sign them and then pay full wages we would have spunked the budget without moving forward with anything new
I agree, a loan where you have injuries or where you have youth players who aren't quite ready but will get more game time as the season progresses is fine and what the system is really meant to offer for clubs like us, but loaning in first team players to build the side around is far too risky.
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Worked out for wolves and Fulham this season
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Worked out for wolves and Fulham this season
Indeed it did, but if it hadn't they'd have 3-4 big gaps to fill just like we have. I didn't say it was wrong, I said it was just too risky for my liking.
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Reported to be joining the baggies for 5 million. A bit of a shame.
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We can’t find £5 million for Johnstone but we did find £5 million for Tshibola, sums it all up quite nicely.
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A good championship goalkeeper, nothing more, nothing less.
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Thought a premier league team might've been in for him.
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We can’t find £5 million for Johnstone but we did find £5 million for Tshibola, sums it all up quite nicely.
"Tish" might be in goal next season Jon!
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With Bunn out of contract the cupboard looks a bit bare for keepers.
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A good championship goalkeeper, nothing more, nothing less.
With respect that is complete and utter horseshit. At £5m he will prove to be a bargain.
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Steer looks OK. There are plenty on free transfers. Loan Henderson from United for the next 5 years and pay nothing for him.
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If he is £5mil now with 18 months exp in Championship then I'd think we could have brought him for 2/3 mil in the first place ..
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I think he’s a decent keeper, got a couple of big flaws in his game, but probably good enough for lower end of Premier League.
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Steer looks OK. There are plenty on free transfers. Loan Henderson from United for the next 5 years and pay nothing for him.
Henderson has gone to Sheff Utd on loan
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Oh. Other clubs in our division strengthening are they. We could do with a bit of that.
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don't hold your breath. The Dr has totally lost the plot if he's turning down investment from anyone let alone Americans
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I won't don't worry. League one will be fun season after next though.
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true
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Yes. Let's have our own players in key positions rather than developing other clubs players.
100% agree
It has always been my issue with the loan system. Imagine if we had got up by winning the league (bear with me) then we would all clamour to keep the players that got us there who were on loan but to sign them and then pay full wages we would have spunked the budget without moving forward with anything new
**BING** the penny drops. Great post that should go on the Bruce Out thread
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Steer looks OK. There are plenty on free transfers. Loan Henderson from United for the next 5 years and pay nothing for him.
If he's fit, I would probably give Steer a chance to be honest. Is Bunn out of contract? I would probably still look to keep him as back up and have Sarkic as third choice.
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Confirmed - signed for Ollbeyun - £6.5m
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Confirmed - signed for Ollbeyun - £6.5m
Agent Johnstone
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Great signing for them. Lets hope they spend a shitload and go tits up like we have
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What a bloody shame.
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What a bloody shame.
Yep. Yet another kick in the teeth for Villa fans. Sell up, Xia.
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An above average shot stopper that's shit at kicking. I'd have liked to have kept him but he's basically Guzan before the confidence loss. The fact it will be season number 3 for him in the Championship rather than a top flight side signing says it all. It's not like we've missed out on a hybrid of Rimmer and Bosnich.
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He improved a lot last season. If he continues to do so I wouldn't be amazed if he ends up playing for England.
I don't care as much about the Albion as many posters, but still, difficult to wish him too much luck.
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An above average shot stopper that's shit at kicking. I'd have liked to have kept him but he's basically Guzan before the confidence loss.
Reckon that Guzan at his best for us was head and shoulders above Johnstone's best for us.
Although obviously his worst was erm... toes and ankles.
So yes, this era's Guzan is probably about right.
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Sam seemed to have a real affinity with us. Wonder if he would have chosen us on less wages if we could have afforded the transfer fee.
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In a league where so many attacks come in from the flanks, it's vital to have a keeper that is comfortable coming for the ball. Rarely had a worry about that side of the game with Johnstone last year.
He was excellent at that. And a good shot stopper -as should be the case with most goalkeepers. His distribution and kicking under pressure could be a bit ropey at times. But the fundamentals were there and the rest could be worked on.
He is one that could have grown with us, so it's a shame not only that won't happen but that he has put the kybosh on his career joining a non entity like the Olbiyun.
For those not too bothered about this, I hope that still holds true when Bunn or Steer are throwing the ball into their own net for Tone's Bargain Basement Dream XI.
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He was average, which was an improvement over the previous couple of keepers but hardly inspiring.
Would definitely not want to have seen us spunk £6m on a bang average keeper, there must be someone as good or better on a free or smaller fee somewhere.
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He was average, which was an improvement over the previous couple of keepers but hardly inspiring.
Would definitely not want to have seen us spunk £6m on a bang average keeper, there must be someone as good or better on a free or smaller fee somewhere.
I agree, 1 year left on his deal so whilst he is a decent championship keeper that fee is probably 2-3 times his value for me. I just don't see this as a massive loss, good shot stopper, shit distribution and 50/50 from crosses (largely because too often he'd get a weak punch on the ball and not get rid of the danger).
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The ****** is now dead to me
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Fee seems steep for me.
£2mn as a keeper to get you out the Chanpionship yes; but he didn’t improve enough for me last year to warrant £6.5mn
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Confirmed - signed for Ollbeyun - £6.5m
They are welcomed to him. No loss.
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What's all the fuss about. An average keeper replaces another average keeper at West Brom? So what?
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Has any Villa player ever been a success for our much smaller neighbours after moving there from us ?
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We need to get shot of Bunn and give Steer and Sarkic a chance of regular first-team action.
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If he would have gone to a Premier League team I could understand but that lot the Tesco Bags I'm less than happy.
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Disappointed with this, would’ve liked to have kept him- probably not for 5-6.5m though. Aside from his strengths and weaknesses others have already mentioned, he seemed to have a pretty good understanding and relationship with the rest of the defence. I’d have liked to have retained him for that as much as his other attributes. Money talks though- we clearly haven’t got 6.5m to retain a GK right now.
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Poor move for him unless they go straight back up, which I honestly can't see happening.
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I think considering his age he's absolute quality, the price is a good deal for the buying club. Quite how that has ending up being Olbyun is anyone's guess, he should have gone to the premier league as he's a premier league keeper.
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We need to get shot of Bunn and give Steer and Sarkic a chance of regular first-team action.
As I said in an earlier post, I wouldn't be adverse to Bunn getting another year if Steer is going to be first choice as we could probably do with a back up option with a bit of experience. I would have a look at Sarkic next season and if he is ready to step up, we could move Bunn on at the end of the season.
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Money talks though- we clearly haven’t got 6.5m to retain a GK right now.
We haven't got 6.5m to spend on the entire squad.
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I would say that £6.5m is a lot at this stage of his development. It could go two ways for him. He could develop further over the next season or two and develop into a £10-15m player or he could stand still and lose value quite quickly.
Having said that, I think he has done the best thing for his development by staying in the Championship. Sitting on the bench in the PL next season would hinder any potential development.
I liked him, although he had some raw edges that need working on.
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It's not 6.5m either, there's another potential 3.5m in add-ons.
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The fact that our first choice goalie for the last 1.5 seasons was available for a permanent move and we could do anything about, worries the shit out of me.
If there were some sort of takeover or money coming into the club, surely he would have been tipped off and told to sit tight, and surely he would have waited for us?
The fact that he jumped at those bunch of fuckers down the road seems to indicate there ain’t anything going on at the Villa that is going to make things better anytime soon.
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The fact that our first choice goalie for the last 1.5 seasons was available for a permanent move and we could do anything about, worries the shit out of me.
If there were some sort of takeover or money coming into the club, surely he would have been tipped off and told to sit tight, and surely he would have waited for us?
The fact that he jumped at those bunch of fuckers down the road seems to indicate there ain’t anything going on at the Villa that is going to make things better anytime soon.
I think even if there was a takeover in the offing with FFP issues we wouldn't have been in the market for a 6.5m goalkeeper.
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He isn't worth £6.5m. He might go on to great things, but having watched nearly all the home games he played with us, I was never convinced he was that much of an upgrade on Gollini.
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I thought his distribution was a poor feature of his ability.
Give Steer a chance, Sarkic as back up will do for me.
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Sam seemed to have a real affinity with us. Wonder if he would have chosen us on less wages if we could have afforded the transfer fee.
Firstly that never happens and secondly we are a basket case of a club so he probably drove away from Bodymoor Heath like greased lighting.
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Sam seemed to have a real affinity with us. Wonder if he would have chosen us on less wages if we could have afforded the transfer fee.
Firstly that never happens and secondly we are a basket case of a club so he probably drove away from Bodymoor Heath like greased lighting.
Great, now I've got that song stuck in my head!
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I'd been thinking that someone should amend the thread title. Just realised that 'someone' is me....so I have :)
EDIT - who's changed it again ?
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We need to get shot of Bunn and give Steer and Sarkic a chance of regular first-team action.
As I said in an earlier post, I wouldn't be adverse to Bunn getting another year if Steer is going to be first choice as we could probably do with a back up option with a bit of experience. I would have a look at Sarkic next season and if he is ready to step up, we could move Bunn on at the end of the season.
Bunn has already left hasn’t he? His contract expired.
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Bunn has already left hasn’t he? His contract expired.
From Bunn's Twitter feed yesterday
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DhSbXNRXUAA3y87.jpg)
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Bunn is fucking shite. Remember him the end of the relegation surrender season? Appallingly bad, I can't remember who it was against but one goal (amongst the dozens we conceded) he ended up laughably tangled up in the next whilst the ball was still in play.
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he's shite with hundreds and thousands on top
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Apparently he's another one that's good in the dressing room and quite funny though. So he can earn his wage being the second most expensive jester in the world behind good old ''Meeks''.
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there must be somewhere out of here, said the joker to the thief?
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Sam seemed to have a real affinity with us. Wonder if he would have chosen us on less wages if we could have afforded the transfer fee.
Firstly that never happens and secondly we are a basket case of a club so he probably drove away from Bodymoor Heath like greased lighting.
Wasn't Hutton reported to have turned down better offers to stay with us?
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Where has this affinity with the fans nonsense come from? I have a 7 year old lad who often waits by the players car park for autographs and photo's after the game, whilst most happily oblige Sam Johnstone would often completely ignore the kids and walk straight to his car.
A decent keeper but there was no affinity with the fans that I saw.
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time to lock this one. He was never our player , always an average player, and now he's someone else's player.
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Sam seemed to have a real affinity with us. Wonder if he would have chosen us on less wages if we could have afforded the transfer fee.
Firstly that never happens and secondly we are a basket case of a club so he probably drove away from Bodymoor Heath like greased lighting.
Wasn't Hutton reported to have turned down better offers to stay with us?
Alan Hutton is 33 and will never play at a better club than Aston Villa. Plus he's probably settled family wise for life now and doesn't want to up sticks again. Johnstone has the whole world at his feet
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Johnstone promptly kicks the world out for a throw in.
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Sam seemed to have a real affinity with us. Wonder if he would have chosen us on less wages if we could have afforded the transfer fee.
Firstly that never happens and secondly we are a basket case of a club so he probably drove away from Bodymoor Heath like greased lighting.
Great, now I've got that song stuck in my head!
I know, I f**king hate Green Day!
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Johnstone promptly kicks the world out for a throw in.
Haha. Very good.
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there must be somewhere out of here, said the joker to the thief?
It's the red x at the top right of the screen.
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Johnstone was our best keeper for years. Sure has a few areas that he needs to improve on but given his age that is to be expected. Must mean Ben Foster is off somewhere else.
Steer looked ok the few times I saw him in cup games. Will hardly be the same standard as Johnstone though. Bunn is laughably poor.
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Foster joined Watford last night.
I didn't rate Johnstone in his first loan spell but he was much better last season although crosses still a weak point.
Anyway Jed Steer has been at the club since 2013 so time he got a shot at number one imo. Sign an old experienced keeper on free to cover (dare I say someone like Kuszczak might not be a bad option) just in case Steer can't handle it.
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In no possible measure was Johnstone our best keeper for years. He was k, no more no less, hampered to aspire to mediocrity by not being able to kick the ball at all. if anything his kicking got worse last season.
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Johnstone was our best keeper for years. Sure has a few areas that he needs to improve on but given his age that is to be expected. Must mean Ben Foster is off somewhere else.
Steer looked ok the few times I saw him in cup games. Will hardly be the same standard as Johnstone though. Bunn is laughably poor.
Johnstone isn't as good as Given or Friedel and, personally, I think Guzan was better for 90% of his career.
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Johnstone was our best keeper for years. Sure has a few areas that he needs to improve on but given his age that is to be expected. Must mean Ben Foster is off somewhere else.
Steer looked ok the few times I saw him in cup games. Will hardly be the same standard as Johnstone though. Bunn is laughably poor.
Johnstone isn't as good as Given or Friedel and, personally, I think Guzan was better for 90% of his career.
Guzan was absolute garbage.
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I thought that Guzan started off well but ended up punch drunk in the end by all the goals that went in past him in a couple of seasons. He obviously has to take some responsibility for those goals but he was playing in a team that was shambolic defensively. I think it ruined him as he hasn't impressed me at Boro since he left.
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Johnstone was our best keeper for years. Sure has a few areas that he needs to improve on but given his age that is to be expected. Must mean Ben Foster is off somewhere else.
Steer looked ok the few times I saw him in cup games. Will hardly be the same standard as Johnstone though. Bunn is laughably poor.
Johnstone isn't as good as Given or Friedel and, personally, I think Guzan was better for 90% of his career.
Guzan was awful. The only thing Johnstone was arguably poorer at was kicking.
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People are thinking back to the last season he was here and forgetting how he played when he first broke through, in my opinion.
Johnstone was a very good shotstopper but I think the rest of his game was average at best, he's definitely not the best keeper we've had for a while unless 'a while' means 2-3 seasons.
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I liked him a lot. Albion have got themselves a decent keeper who I think will get better as he get's older.
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I thought that Guzan started off well but ended up punch drunk in the end by all the goals that went in past him in a couple of seasons. He obviously has to take some responsibility for those goals but he was playing in a team that was shambolic defensively. I think it ruined him as he hasn't impressed me at Boro since he left.
Yep. Guzan was great in 12/13 and decent enough 13/14 and then his form fell off a cliff.
I think it's pointless comparing anyway as Johnstone is just facing championship strikers whereas all our other keepers in last 20 odd years were against top level players who can punish a mistake.
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I thought that Guzan started off well but ended up punch drunk in the end by all the goals that went in past him in a couple of seasons. He obviously has to take some responsibility for those goals but he was playing in a team that was shambolic defensively. I think it ruined him as he hasn't impressed me at Boro since he left.
He didn't impress them either, which is why he's been at Atlanta in the MLS for the last year.
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Johnstone was our best keeper for years. Sure has a few areas that he needs to improve on but given his age that is to be expected. Must mean Ben Foster is off somewhere else.
Steer looked ok the few times I saw him in cup games. Will hardly be the same standard as Johnstone though. Bunn is laughably poor.
Johnstone isn't as good as Given or Friedel and, personally, I think Guzan was better for 90% of his career.
I respectfully disagree !
Given and Friedel's best days were long passed before they joined us. Given only had the one season as first choice for us under McLeish, got injured before Euro 2012 and was never the same keeper again. Got dropped for Guzan a couple of matches into Lamberts reign. I never rated Friedel for us, no presence at all from crosses, not that Given ever ventured far off his line often either, Johnstone was a much better shot stopper for us.
As with others, I didn't see much improvement from Gollini in Johnstone's first spell but he improved out of recognition last term. There was hardly a better keeper in our division. Needs to be a lot more commanding at set piece time but last season will stand him in good stead. Hope I'm wrong but if he was going to West Ham instead of West Brom, I doubt he would be getting the same criticism on here.
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Johnstone was our best keeper for years. Sure has a few areas that he needs to improve on but given his age that is to be expected. Must mean Ben Foster is off somewhere else.
Steer looked ok the few times I saw him in cup games. Will hardly be the same standard as Johnstone though. Bunn is laughably poor.
Johnstone isn't as good as Given or Friedel and, personally, I think Guzan was better for 90% of his career.
I respectfully disagree !
Given and Friedel's best days were long passed before they joined us. Given only had the one season as first choice for us under McLeish, got injured before Euro 2012 and was never the same keeper again. Got dropped for Guzan a couple of matches into Lamberts reign. I never rated Friedel for us, no presence at all from crosses, not that Given ever ventured far off his line often either, Johnstone was a much better shot stopper for us.
As with others, I didn't see much improvement from Gollini in Johnstone's first spell but he improved out of recognition last term. There was hardly a better keeper in our division. Needs to be a lot more commanding at set piece time but last season will stand him in good stead. Hope I'm wrong but if he was going to West Ham instead of West Brom, I doubt he would be getting the same criticism on here.
Look back I had the same concerns with him when people were talking about him being our first signing if we got promoted. He was playing behind one of the best defences in the league and didn't concede many but he played a big part in the odd moments of utter panic we did see from set pieces and his dreadful distribution played a big part in us being utterly shite at holding on to the ball.
I agree that Friedel and Given were past their best but both arrived as better players than Johnstone was at his best but did drop off after a year or 2.
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What happened to Gollini? He went off on loan and was never heard of again?
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What happened to Gollini? He went off on loan and was never heard of again?
Sold to Atlanta for just under 4mil last I saw
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What happened to Gollini? He went off on loan and was never heard of again?
Sold to Atlanta for just under 4mil last I saw
Thanks. So if Steer gets injured, and he seems a bit injury prone, there is only Bunn? We're stuffed!
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Thanks. So if Steer gets injured, and he seems a bit injury prone, there is only Bunn? We're stuffed!
Sarcic is meant to be reasonable, at least as good as Steer and much better than Bunn (who should be released).
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I think Bunn is not actually in contract anymore - seems to be training with us though. dunno if he's gone on the Algarve junket?
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I have to add, if Angus Gunn who was on loan at Norwich from Citeh all last year has gone for £13.5 million then Sam looks a bit of a steal.
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I have to add, if Angus Gunn who was on loan at Norwich from Citeh all last year has gone for £13.5 million then Sam looks a bit of a steal.
That really is an unbelievable figure for Soton to pay for a goalie with ones years exp in senior football
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SJ claiming that move has the best players in the league .
But he also has said that his training work at Villa led him to saving penalty on weekend !