Mat Ryan

I was out of town and havent gone through all the threads. Merge this if it is on here already. Looks like we are after the Australian A-League Goalkeeper of the Year.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1128881/Mariners-No.1-Ryan-chased-by-Hull-City?

 

I wouldn't be too excited if I were you, I have seen very very few A-League players that could actually cope in England let alone the championship.

I have only seen him play maybe once or twice and he pulled off a couple decent saves but I don't remember thinking he was anything special at all so he may be fine as backup but I would certainly not pick him as first choice

 

Damn, out scooped.

It is worth bearing in mind that Australia have a long history of quality keepers, and Ryan is seen as man to be the long term man of the leather for Australia.

That said, the A-League is not a good league (League One maybe?), but Ryan is a great prospect.

 

There are a number of EPL Clubs also interested in the 20-year-old but we appear to have made a 'lucrative 3 year offer' according to the pundits here.

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This is a good point (I would say that most of the teams in A-League would be lower League 1 with the exception of a couple that would be higher league 1 - lower championship). I didn't realise he was that young though (thought he was around 24) and another thing to consider is that as a goalkeeper it is harder to shine in a poorer league as you can only save what your up against

Still wouldn't be too excited though

 

Has to be better than Amos.

I realize he doesn't actually have to be.

Have you seen him play?

 

It's true that goalkeepers are much less affected by changing leagues than outfield players - they tend to find the transition to higher standards much less of a step up and usually even benefit from playing behind better defenders. The list of top quality keepers who have moved seamlessly from lower divisions to the very highest levels is impressive. Mat Ryan could well prove to be a really good signing for City.

 

we have some examples of this from our past -- Bo Myhill, Roy Carroll, Andy Oakes all pretty much unknown quantities when they came and turned out to be reasonable keepers!

 

I still think the Jackupovic issue is a bit fishy. Whether Bruce plays him on Saturday or not will be interesting, if he doesn't then it's pretty clear he doesn't rate him. So I think there could well be something in it.

 

Aussies are bound to make good keepers, they're nucking futs, I bet he'd quite happily save a 100mph nick proschwitz penalty with his face.

 

That has been said of alot of players who have come to this country from lesser leagues. Give him a chance ffs. Some City fans had a go about Peter Taylor paying £50k for Bo MyHill. Nuff said. Matt Ryan could be the next Mark Schwartzer. twt.

Surprised you stopped there but your point and examples are well made.

Could not agree more. Good post.

If he had german parents and arrived @ Hull on a train then Mat could be called "Von Ryans Express".

 

I dont think he will drop Amos personally.

I do wonder if the other keeper was signed by the club because they made a pre contract agreement when Barmby was in charge. Have they had to honour it I wonder.

 

Good question. Over to sportstalk and Burnsy i would suggest.

 

Don't suppose it was an expensive deal for us and we needed 2 keepers

 

It's probably just really shoddy journalism and it'll turn out we're in fact in for a different Mariners keeper