Hull were in the Championship that season and Ali Al Habsi was Wigan's number 1, a keeper who was quite highly rated at the time. Joel Robles was their second choice (and FA cup-winning) keeper, now at Everton.
Quote from: RussellC on July 23, 2015, 10:38:49 AMHull were in the Championship that season and Ali Al Habsi was Wigan's number 1, a keeper who was quite highly rated at the time. Joel Robles was their second choice (and FA cup-winning) keeper, now at Everton.I don't think it changes the overall point that they probably wouldn't have been winning multiple player of the season awards for us had they been our goalkeeper rather than Guzan. And that had Ali Al-Habsi been our goalkeeper we would currently be playing the Championship. Watch back the highlights from that crucial QPR game.Guzan's not perfect, but as Tom says above there are about eight players in our first team that are bigger priorities to upgrade before we get around to him.
Quote from: Dave on July 23, 2015, 11:00:56 AMQuote from: RussellC on July 23, 2015, 10:38:49 AMHull were in the Championship that season and Ali Al Habsi was Wigan's number 1, a keeper who was quite highly rated at the time. Joel Robles was their second choice (and FA cup-winning) keeper, now at Everton.I don't think it changes the overall point that they probably wouldn't have been winning multiple player of the season awards for us had they been our goalkeeper rather than Guzan. And that had Ali Al-Habsi been our goalkeeper we would currently be playing the Championship. Watch back the highlights from that crucial QPR game.Guzan's not perfect, but as Tom says above there are about eight players in our first team that are bigger priorities to upgrade before we get around to him.It doesn't, but picking out 2 goal-keepers (one of whom was in the Championship) who you think would have not performed as well as him doesn't really heap much praise on him either. I also wouldn't read too much into any player of the year award won since Stephen Ireland, unless you honestly believe that Guzan contributed more to us staying up that season than Benteke did? I also don't remember him 'keeping us' in too many games during that season, although granted he make saves (as per his job description) that contributed to us drawing (some) and winning (fewer) games.To clarify though, I'm not for a second saying that Guzan is awful. In fact I'd put him in a group of around 7 or 8 keepers in the Premier League who are all of a very similar standard. However, I certainly think that Sherwood will be looking to upgrade him as soon as possible, as the widely reported interest in Begovic would suggest.
There were a couple of saves in that QPR game that were truly world class. For all intents and purposes they looked like certain goals but somehow he got to them.
So we're all in agreement that it's pretty low down on the list of things to change.
Quote from: OCD on July 23, 2015, 11:10:51 AMThere were a couple of saves in that QPR game that were truly world class. For all intents and purposes they looked like certain goals but somehow he got to them.I don't think his shot stopping is the problem, I think his distribution is the issue. If you want to play a passing or even a longer ball style, then having a keeper with good distribution is a key part of that.
Quote from: tomd2103 on July 23, 2015, 12:10:45 PMSo we're all in agreement that it's pretty low down on the list of things to change.Or perhaps acknowledge that we have differing opinions, as opposed to telling me what I agree with? Particularly as I do think it's a priority, as a superior keeper would make me feel a lot less worried about our fragile (in my opinion) defence.
Quote from: RussellC on July 23, 2015, 12:19:02 PMQuote from: tomd2103 on July 23, 2015, 12:10:45 PMSo we're all in agreement that it's pretty low down on the list of things to change.Or perhaps acknowledge that we have differing opinions, as opposed to telling me what I agree with? Particularly as I do think it's a priority, as a superior keeper would make me feel a lot less worried about our fragile (in my opinion) defence. You're welcome to have whatever opinion that you want.It's just that saying that you think that he's of the same standard as the keepers of lots of teams above us (when the rest of the team demonstrably isn't) doesn't really match up with it being a big priority as far as I can tell.
I like him. Very good on his line, not too shabby off it, recent wobbles apart. I'd almost go as far as to say that he's given me more confidence when coming off his line than any keeper we've had in my time watching. That said, if he can improve his distribution, both decision-making and execution, we'd be much better off for it. All too often have we seen possession conceded cheaply, and attacking opportunities missed, through inaccurate or slow clearances. But that's surely something he can work on which, doing so, won't be to the detriment of the rest of his game.