Hey to all. I haven't had much of a chance to watch the lads properly yet this season. I know this thread has probably been there, done it, got the t-shirt, but I was hoping for some opinions and feedback about our solution to the goalkeeping dilemma caused by everyone's favourite smurf. I was personally a bit surprised when we signed Friedel, seeing as he's obviously at the autumn end of a distinguished career. However, I'd be satisfied if he filled the following three blatant lacks of the Gomes era: 1) Inspires the back 4 with confidence that they are NOT the very last line of defence, that they don't have to panic every time the ball enters our half. 2) Commands his area like a field-marshall. This includes claiming crosses w/o knocking out a team mate, coming out for a 1 on 1 w/o giving away a penalty/ allowing Samir Nasri clear passage through to goal etc. 3) Shows an ability to deal with shots taken more than half a mile away from goal. So, was signing Friedel the bargain of the transfer window? Your thoughts, as always, would be much appreciated!
I was also very surprised at his signing, but he has wowed me with his consistent displays. I still believe Cudicini is better than Gomes, and should have been no 1 last season.
I too was a bit skeptical about Friedel, however he does have what Gomes doesn't have (apart from a mouth guard) which is a calmness in which he goes about his business. Previously when the opposition got within 20-25 yards from our goal it was nerve time. Not anymore, however Friedel won't be around forever so i think while we have the chance bring in a good young keeper and let him watch & learn from Friedel & Cudicini.
I would have preferred Given, even if it's just that he's that much younger. However, Friedl is doing a good job; and, let's face it, Lee Evans would inspire more confidence in goal, than Gomes. I used to close my eyes every time a shot was hit straight at him.
So true. Shame really b/c i think us fans had a bit of a soft spot for old Gormless. I just know from my days playing sunday league footy: any one of three people could play in goal on any given week (all depending on whose mum remembered to bring his gloves), and my own performance (centre back) would fluctuate as a result...some weeks i was Sol Campbell, others I was closer to Chris Perry. And then there were the Ramon Vega weeks...but we wont go into those! I agree 100% about Given- but he's also getting on a bit though, isn't he? Certainly not what you'd want in a 'long term' replacement. As for Carlo...probably the best keeper in the history of the game who spent most of his career on a bench. The man could've waltzed into most premiership sides yet chose to use his keeping skills 'keeping' the bench warm.
Not sure whether City would have sold us Given, to be honest. Friedel and Parker for £1mill more than just Given sounds like a good move anyway.
I thought that Friedel's signing was a bit of a no-brainer, to be honest. I did think that Gomes would either be shipped out or used in every cup game, though. The Brazilian could've taken this as a challenge and learned from the highly experienced American, but he seems to have just given up. I'd like to see us replace him in January with a talented youngster.
True, you can't beat the price. However, at the age of 40, how much longer can he play at the top level? Same goes for Cudicini. I agree that City may have been reluctant to sell given to us, but as far as I know, we didn't even try for him.
There aren't many 'keepers that get to Friedel's age and are still at their best. Who's to say Given would last more than another two years? I suspect Levy ruled at paying money for a 34 year old 'keeper early on. He was even relucatant to sign Parker!
Given's had some injury problems too, unfortunately. Friedel may not have long left at the top, but he seems like the type to go into coaching. He could still be good for the club once his playing days are over.
Gomes will be sold in Jan and has only himself to blame, he does pull off some wonderful saves but is way too inconsistent with many weaknesses. Another Comolli masterstroke! Friedal looks way better and commands his box, organises and gives our defence confidence.
But then who would be a suitable long-term replacement? Apart from Robinson's short blip of good form (the patch that earned him the england jersey), i haven't felt particularly confident in any of our keepers since Thorsdevt. I think Utd did a good bit of business signing De Gea- he'll settle into a good keeper, whilst that Carol Vorderman's nightmare over at the woolwich looks like an up n' coming talent. Who would we look into?
Rob Green's out of contract at the end of the season... Seriously though, I'm sure that there are some decent keepers around, it's just a matter of picking the one that best suits our needs. A young, preferably English keeper (to suit the squad restrictions, if nothing else), who can learn from the two highly experienced ones that we already have would be best, in my opinion. I don't watch a lot of the Championship, so I don't know if anyone's shining in the lower leagues.
Foster's bottled it from England selection already. Not a great sign about his mentality, in my opinion. Hasn't he been fairly average at West Brom, too? How's Scott Loach doing at Watford? We were linked with him before. I wonder how Carson's getting on at Bursaspor? Not that I'd want us to sign him, but it was a slightly odd move.
I`d have Robbo back to be honest and I bet he would jump at the chance to rejoin Spurs and if it wasnt for the ineptness of Comolli, Robbo would still be a Spurs player and we`d be around £5m better off having not signed Gomes.
That's, of course, always a possibility with any player. I still believe that Given is a great keeper, whom we should have, at least, tried to sign.
Agreed. The fact that they let us loan Ade shows that (at least in their mind's eye) City already perceive themselves as lightyears ahead of us, or else they wouldn't have risked him coming back to haunt them (which he will, mark my words). If so, the logical step would've been to at least make some symbolic effort to get Given. Maybe wages were a problem again?
