Looks like Maddison is going somewhere.... https://the72.co.uk/122159/peterbor...by-county-west-brom-hints-imminent-departure/
14 Assists I’d like to know how many were from corners though if he is the corner taker. Well, I say I’d like to know but only if he is on his way to ER
Having had time to digest yesterdays performance, result and post match Bielsa comments I'm left in no doubt that we need to sign a new No'1 goalkeeper. The problem is he needs to be top draw and I just don't see how we can make such a signing. The only possibility seems to be signing a PL keeper on loan until the end of the season but such a keeper is bound to be a bit ring rusty after sitting on the bench (or worse) so far this season. It's become a problem which we could have done without but unfortunately Blackmans injury has made it a necessity and obviously it requires urgent attention. However if Orta can't find a suitable alternative to BPF given the amount of time he's had to source one then he really is letting Bielsa and the squad down.
Last few keepers Orta signed weren’t blinding successes. Blackman unknown. Lonergan and Felix oh dear. Wonder what’s Silvestri at these days
Keeper situation apparently there are 3 or 4 options as well as Darlow according to Phil Hay. Darlow wont happen so available keepers from Prem are Forster and Pope/Hart because Hart now dropped to bench. Who is to say we dont get one on loan with a view to buy with promotion? Love to believe thats possible.... westwood alsompossible but now depends on Steve Bruce Juventus have said Keane is going nowhere so we may be able to rule him out for the Saiz replacement, Gomez we think is signing for Bilboa again and Maddison would be a gamble for me even though he scored and assisted like hell last season but assisting his partner Marriot and why Derby want him. Jammy said it, time enough to do some deals but would prefer early deals so we can have a good week with Bielsa before playing
You make a very good point. Goalkeepers are a breed apart and therefore who is best qualified when it comes to their recruitment ? So many good and talented goalkeepers turn to absolute jelly after a few mistakes that perhaps understanding their psyche is as important as assessing ability. Then when you factor in that a different skill set is required in the championship as apposed to the PL, the importance of distribution in relation to your teams tactics, the ability of your centre halves to deal with the high ball and set pieces you quickly realise what a difficult and specialized position it is. Our problem is we just cannot afford to get any recruitment wrong, especially where the goalkeeper is concerned.
Maddison will sign for Derby in all probability. Personally I'd be very happy with Forster or Hart but I accept both are unlikely, unfortunately we only sign young, second string PL players on loan as experience comes at a costly premium which we are unwilling to pay.
I can accept us missing out on promotion through many factors. Great runs by other teams, clever signings, even lucky decisions or unlucky ones for us. What I won’t be able to tolerate is if we miss out through lack of investment. If we don’t go up, can you imagine the offers flooding in for Kalvin, Pontus and Jack Clarke. The entire football watching public has been alerted to the quality of these lads and it won’t matter a jot what contracts they have
Can we handle the pressure is another factor. At 0-1 yesterday we were way too frenetic and that resulted in Phillips's red card. We saw in the second half that if we'd retained our composure the game was there for the taking.
What's your most memorable window-licking experience, lads? I recall a particularly flavourful one in the Chemistry lab at school (subtle but sumptuous hints of bramble, liquorice and acetic anhydride)
If we do go for a new goalie, I hope we don't go for Ederson from Citeh, he's let in six goals in their last three games, you ****ers on here will crucify the poor bastard with that kind of form
Someone told me today that even a keeper good with his feet will need Bielsaball efore given the gloves. He said you need to watch BPF as it seems his job is to pace the area directing which side the ball needs to be played out to. Hes always pounting and shouting to defenders. So I can get that he is a big part of what happens at the back, but we have all seen him panic and hoof the ball, miss-kick etc. But makes you think and Pep got rid of Hart because he was crap with the ball at his feet?
Bpf definitely been going long more frequently recently... as more teams commit more to the press... if we had a few less dwarves in the team it would be a good counter-tactic with the opposition committing more to the press. Re jammy’s point about how specialised it is... it’s true, it’s a different game these days and there’s no doubt that for us at least you need a footballing keeper... which adds a specific tier of pressure over and above the norm. Fast moving light balls mean in addition to outright howlers there are plenty of coulda/shoulda moments for keepers where fans think they should/could have done better. For me bpf hasn’t had that many clear mistakes.. for goals... 3 obvious ones in fact... but another 5 or so in the coulda/shoulda category. From what I’ve seen in the championship with other keepers that’s not as dreadful as some might think, but more than you’d like. As an aside Blackburn scored a proper old school goal yesterday direct from a corner. Mowbray even admitted the tactic was to go for goal while the attackers take the keeper out... they literally charged him into the net! Imagine if that had been bpf... not strong enough, doesn’t command his box etc. As it was the worst keeping in our game yesterday was for clarke’s Goal.
Here is how I see it... An experienced keeper will have spent years learning the basics under a wide variety of coaches, coming for crosses, alertness, when to come off the line, shot stopping it should all be there and each keeper will have a degree of brilliance or not so. True they need to learn Bielsa style so sign him up, sit him in front of a screen and drum it into him on day one with examples, day 2 and 3 do exactly the same. Then on the training pitch put it into practice, iron out any areas of concern, play a practice game in the U23s I’m not under estimating the position but the keeper has two choices, kick long or play it out to Defender AB or C I don’t see it as being as hard to let sink in as it is for the outfield players. The day Blackman got injured we knew we needed a keeper, we should be getting one through the door this week. Preliminary should be done and dusted in December if your targets club is playing hardball move on.
You know what all this talk about goalkeepers playing bielsaball etc,i just want one that can keep the bloody ball out of the net
