Anyone else getting concerned about this? The closer it gets to the start of the season and the more other clubs realise that we haven't got a keeper on our books with a league appearance to his name, the more likely they are to charge us over the odds to sign one or even loan one. Personally I'd like to see this situation sorted asap. Any suggestions as to who? Even though he's old Marcus Hahnemann is probably the best option I've seen kicking around.
AP has said there are a lot of good keepers available on frees and he seems completely unconcerned about us sorting a couple. It looks like we'll take Guzan if Villa let him leave on a free, it also looks like we've spoken to Newcastle about a season long loan for Forster(though Celtic want him back too) and there's still Eilhoff, possibly Gilks and I'm sure there's others we don't know about too.
Exactly like the others have said, we are three weeks from pre season, more contracts expire at the end of June, and Keepers are easily avalible as they are not versitile. A quick list shows we could easily get: Guzan Einhoff Gilks Forster (loan) Hahnemann Myhill (when Kyzack goes back to WBA from Man Utd) Guliseci? (Liverpools Hungerian keeper, looking for a loan) Brad Jones (Liverpool looking to bring in Doni) Given (Man City would have to cover wages) Certainly no need to panic
I'm not concerned as such, but I do agree with what Percival said the other day that it was a strange decision not to offer Duke a new contract. He was an average 'keeper available to us for no money and a minimal wage, but instead we've chosen to be in a position where we need to spend money on two new goalkeepers. Given the limited budget we're working on, and all the other positions that need sorting, I'd have chosen to be in a position where we only need one, and mroe of our budget could have been spent elsewhere.
I would also have kept Duke but I won't criticise the decision because I don't know how much money he was on. He had various new contracts in his time here. If he was on a good wage and NP thinks he can bring in someone like Eilhoff as number two for half that money, then it becomes a better decision.
Well I agree, but only if we could get two in for cheaper than he is on, but I'd have thought he'd be one of the lower paid players.
We're only looking at keepers on frees(as there are plenty), so it's not going to cost us anything and as Duke got a new deal in our first Premier League season, he was probably on far more than he was worth. There's better keepers available for less money, it's a no-brainer.
Based on what we now know about the other contracts signed in 2009, I suspect it's a nailed on certainly.
We don't need to get two for cheaper than he is on. We needed one goalie anyway. We just need to get a backup cheaper than Duke.
Ive heard NP say pretty much the same about not being in any rush to sign keepers as there are lots about for free
There is absolutely no chance we will get to the start of the season without having a first choice keeper and someone else that NP is happy with as a backup.
Agreed one will be Elihoff (sp?) plus one other. I get the impression that Elihoff will be the back up and then he is looking to get someone else in as no 1, i think this will depend on the quality of whoelse he can bring in. I pray to god its not Guzan his comms with his defence is horrendous i really dont rate him. Would love to take Carson or Myhill off WBA hands though. Ps Shay Given NO CHANCE will be at Arsenal next season i reckon.
Don't want Carson, and I sort of want Myhill but only for sentiment. In reality Mannone would be better and I'd love him to number 1. However, if we were going to sign Eilhoff, wouldn't we have done it by now as he's on a free?
True unless we are stalling to see whoelse we can get in, or it could be a role reversal and he could be waiting to see if he would be our number one as he wants regular football? Mannone is too injury prone
He might be able to put the injuries behind him with a nice pre-season rest. The chances are they were all linked to the original one he did at home to Reading, before which he wasn't labelled injury prone.
