Brad Friedel

[Concrete John]

If we are to stay on these shores Paul Robinson would be my choice.

Was thinking this the other day.  31 now I think so coming into his prime as a keeper and in good form this season!

[WikiVilla]

Annoys me that Friedel is getting a priority contract yet no news on where we are with signing up the likes of Clark & Gardner up long term

[Dave]

Three months ago both Clark and Gardner signed until 2014.

How much longer do you want us to sign them for?

[Phil from the upper holte]

Bad move in my opinion, If he is first choice I will be really pissed off

[hartman_1982]

Spent force.

We should be looking at keepers like Shay Given.

If people moan about Friedel not coming off his line, just watch Given! Exactly the same IMO, bot good shot stoppers but neither command their area.
Too injury prone now, and hardly a spring chicken.

If we are to stay on these shores Paul Robinson would be my choice.

[WikiVilla]

Three months ago both Clark and Gardner signed until 2014.

How much longer do you want us to sign them for?

Great, I hadn't realised that

[TheSandman]

Another vote for Robbo especially if Blackburn go down. Maybe Foster if Blues go down.

If we are going for younger I'd look at Mignolet or Begovic.

Those are just the ones that I can think of who are based in the UK. If we are prepared to look further afield then there are plenty of goalies who can come in.

Keep Friedel as a second choice. If he doesn't want that bring in someone like Westwood.

As for Friedel I keep thinking people are just picking fault. He has done pretty well for us and some of his 'errors' have been dubious ones. Any goal keeper would suffer from having our defence in front of him and his good performances far outnumber the bad. That is not to say that we cannot improve up on him it is just that some of the criticism is over the top. We very rarely have had a top class goalkeeper and very few are around. If we sign someone like Westwood and Given and it doesn't work out we will probably be moaning that he isn't as good as Friedel like we are doing with this romanticised form of Sorensen now. I must admit that I never really thought Sorensen wasn't all that bad though.

[Dante Lavelli]

Given Big Brad's economic situation I'd suggest that it is a good time to negotiate a deal. I think a combination of him and Westwood fighting it out for the No1 spot would be good for us. Send Little Brad on loan for a season as a contingency plan.

Brad also set up that academy in the states so it'd suggest he sees himself as a coach at some point and therefore could have been preparing himself for a coaching role. The new contract could also include coaching duties.

[Ian.]

As for Friedel I keep thinking people are just picking fault. He has done pretty well for us and some of his 'errors' have been dubious ones. Any goal keeper would suffer from having our defence in front of him and his good performances far outnumber the bad. That is not to say that we cannot improve up on him it is just that some of the criticism is over the top. We very rarely have had a top class goalkeeper and very few are around. If we sign someone like Westwood and Given and it doesn't work out we will probably be moaning that he isn't as good as Friedel like we are doing with this romanticised form of Sorensen now. I must admit that I never really thought Sorensen wasn't all that bad though.

I'm with you on this. The form of the defence has been terrible and what hasn't helped Brad is we have not had a very consistent line up this season. I don't think any keeper in the world would have gone through a season like we have had without a few errors. Like you said though maybe it's time to improve on him now for next season if we can.

[curiousorange]

He dives away from the ball, see the Baines pen, very poor

That used to be called 'guessing'!

It looked like Peter Shilton in the 1990 world cup semi shoot out.

That rang a bell with me, sadly. Remember in the 3rd/4th place play off when he dropped the ball and had no fecking idea where Roberto Baggio was and conceded a penalty? That's how it is with keepers: first the reflexes and then the awareness, and then the judgement. Friedel knows that he's come to the end of the road, surely?

[holtepaul]

Cant believe people haven't twigged this.

Lets face it, Friedal is well well good enough to be a No.2 keeper and can challenge for No1 still definately - so signing him up I have no issue with.

Why now - I'll tell you why

Because the club are making an absolute 1 million decibel noise saying how the whole club, players, management, board, fans and cleaners have all got to come together and fight for the cause.

What was in the press last week - a player walk out was planned, with Freidal being the instigator. This proves to one and all that media rumour was absolute bullshit - and we are united.

Thats why now.

[WikiVilla]

Given Big Brad's economic situation I'd suggest that it is a good time to negotiate a deal. I think a combination of him and Westwood fighting it out for the No1 spot would be good for us. Send Little Brad on loan for a season as a contingency plan.

Brad also set up that academy in the states so it'd suggest he sees himself as a coach at some point and therefore could have been preparing himself for a coaching role. The new contract could also include coaching duties.

NO, why should we hold up Friedels pension fund ?
Its time he went, his bad investments are his issue not ours

[Louzie0]

NO, why should we hold up Friedels pension fund ?
Its time he went, his bad investments are his issue not ours

What's life like on your planet, wiki?

Agree with Bentman

[Salsa Party Animal]

If Brad is not doing his business for his academy correctly, Randy should sort it out with supplying relevant people who know their stuff and Brad can work with players and Aston Villa to own the Academy with link to Colombus Crew as well and keep it under control so Brad had his future settled.

[Holtenderinthesky]

How is it the defence's fault that he has never saved a pen for us?  I agree that the back 4 have been pretty dire this season and that makes it tougher for Brad but I still think he has to take a chunk of the blame.  I really like the guy, he speaks well, he is intelligent and he is a true professional.  However, he is past his best and at this level that just isn't good enough.  Sorry Brad but please hang up your gloves and make way for a better, younger 'keeper.