Summer 2014 Transfer rumour thread

I don't think any of the young keepers we have atm are good enough. We seem to not be able to attract any good young keepers atm, hopefully if we sign Smith this will change.

 

Yes, yes, yes.

Though I strongly doubt he'd walk out on Leicester just as they finally reach the Premier League.

 

Schmeichel's contract is up at the end of the season I believe so will walk away

 

What's he like with his feet though? Despite Boruc's general distribution improving hugely under Poch, his poor kicking still impairs our passing game too often. I'm sure if we're looking for a 'keeper he's going to be an excellent ball player above all else.

 

Yes, I've suggested putting in an offer for Schmeichel. Also might stop father Peter making rude comments about so-called smaller clubs. But I agree, why shouldn't he stay at Leicester. They have a good thing going.

 

Surely not "above all else"? Good shot stopper should come first, commanding presence in the box second. Being a good ball player comes some way down the list. After all, Gazzaniga's distribution is pretty good as I recall.

 

As a back up keeper id settle for reliable shot stopping over good distribution.

 

He's not, or he'd be first choice for Newcastle. He's decent, and he had an inspired game against us, as decent keepers occasionally do, but one impressive half doesn't make him "very good" in the grand scheme of things.

Absolutely, though we also need to adopt a plan B when our keeper has an off-day distribution-wise. It absolutely cripples us when we can't keep possession at the back and seeing our defenders repeatedly passing the ball unnecessarily to Davis in that ill-fated cup game, only for him to hoof it out of play every time, was pretty grim.

 

OK not above all else, but it's definitely important. I'd say at least three times every game, often more, Boruc puts passes into touch when under no pressure, but that's not even the issue, it's the lack of confidence that those mistakes breed. Hart, Vorm and Cech to name a few are example of 'keepers who are superb with the ball at feet and their ability to pick players out at will means their full backs know they can push as wide as they want without being caught out. I'm not desperate to replace Boruc as all his goalkeeping attributes are superb. I just think that especially against lesser sides at home who come for a draw, it helps to have eleven footballers on the pitch to break them down, rather than ten.

 

Distribution is the last thing I think about when it comes to good keepers.

 

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49KvKCmAyfI

be sure to mute it

 

Speaking of keepers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26821335

Think he could be worth having a look at on trial or something over the summer. Was a good keeper up until his injuries

 

Maybe we should loan Reina!

 

I think Boruc's decision making and kicking skills are a little lacking, for sure.

But tbf to him, our passing game at the back always makes me nervous. The fullbacks often pass back to Boruc when put under slight pressure, in an attempt to alter the direction of ball movement and possibly open up something upfield. And sometimes it does result in a nice Rodriguez run. But often the opposing team just covers the defender who made the backpass and then there's no one for Boruc to pass to.

In that situation, there's little Boruc can do but to play a safe, long boot towards the sideline. Essentially he's making the clearance the fullback should/could have made. If he were better, a few more of those low-percentage kicks would find their target or at least result in 50/50 balls rather than just get shanked over the sideline but I don't think it makes that much of a difference. I really don't mind if he kicks those balls out of bounds, in fact I wish he would do it more often instead of attempting Cruyff turns or passing back out the the defenders and giving me a heart attack.

 

Boruc is under instruction to try and keep the ball and play it out...he has said so with a wry smile and a commentator mentioned it as well. Sadly he isn't quite good enough in that department. Let's not forget though that his throw to Davis led to the first goal (credit where due).

 

Boruc's kicking isn't great, but I would much rather he blast it out for a throw than faff around like he did against Giroud at the Emirates. Also, his hand distribution is up there with the best in the league. It is great when you have a keeper who sees an early runner and just releases the ball there and then, as opposed to Kelvin doing his classic 'dummy' throw, and then holding onto the ball for about half an hour.

 

Aaaaaaaah Nooooo!

The English disease. Keep passing Artur!

 

By the way, I detect a little underlying bemoaning of Artur. I love him. He was a very important part of our survival last season and our resurgence this season. Four months ago he was being acclaimed by the experts as in the top three keepers in the league.

Carry on what you're doing Artur, I think we're in safe hands.

#betterthedevilyouknow

 

Saints should make a move for Begovic. Stoke obviously won't want to sell but he will want to move on at some point. If we get priced out of a move for him the so be it, but at least make an offer. Nothing against Boruc, but Begovic is quality.

 

Yes have to agree he's a top keeper but my guess is one of the big boys will grab him.