According to the Sunderland Echo site we've signed Westwood, http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport...and_sign_goalkeeper_keiren_westwood_1_3503006
Sunderland sign goalkeeper Keiren Westwood Kieren Westwood playing for Coventry City. Published on Wednesday 22 June 2011 09:45 KEIREN Westwood has joined Sunderland. The 26-year-old Republic of Ireland keeper is the Black Cats’ first signing of the summer, having travelled up to Wearside at the start of the week to undergo a routine medical before putting pen to paper on a three-year contract yesterday. And he will be given free-rein when he links up with his new team-mates in pre-season next month to try establishing himself as a Premier League force in the months ahead. Westwood might not be unveiled officially until the end of the month when his contract with Coventry City finally expires. But he will be a Sunderland player next season and likely to start the opening game against Liverpool at Anfield with number one keeper Black Cats keeper Craig Gordon still sidelined by injury and impressive prospect Simon Mignolet deemed to need more experience before pushing his own claims as a number one keeper Guess that means he really wants to offload Gordon....Not sure on the thinking on this one, although he's injury prone, when fit is top class. No room for 4 keepers or even 3 good one's..
It is important for a team to have a stable defence and keeper, the rest of the team gets confidence from this. Gordon is great when fit but if he's unable to play then we can't keep him. A shame though as he's a great player.
Certainly looks a possibility - although Westwood has no premier league experience as yet. Have been impressed when I've seen him and think Mignolet struggled at the end of last season - experience I suppose!!
The Coventry fans reckon he's a good shot stopper but doesn't command his area. Let me think, have we got any goalkeepers we could say that about..........
Its a matter of judgement by Bruce, its what he getts paid a lot to do. A 9 mil keeper who on his day is world class but becoming an injury liability. A 26 year old keeper, good age and highly thought of. I think Bruce is doing the right thing.
Sorry Syd disagree IMO we should keep Gordon if he's going to be fit for the 1st part of the season and see how he gets on think signing Westwood is a good move though.
If we are going to achieve our aim of producing a settled team on the pitch, we have to look at offloading the injury prone players like Gordon. I really can't see the point of starting the season with players that we know will not last 10 games, let alone 38. We need an understanding between the keeper and the defence, which can only be achieved by regular games together, so for me we either start with Westwood or The Mig, two keepers that have the ability and stamina to last the season.
So what happens if The Mig or Westie gets a broken arm like Flash did? IMO Flash is a top flight player and the other 2 are still yet to be proven in the Prem alright the Mig played some good games for us last season but is still very inexperienced, I feel that Flash will come good.
Gordon is without question better than either of the options, but i think the club may be aware there's big problems with him, hence the risk of not offering a new contract to such a high profile player. I also think Carson will leave, he clearly isn't going to make it at the club, as Mignolet is clearly a better prospect, and also has a good number of games behind him, remember, he wasn't expected to play at all last season in truth. I haven't seen much of Westwood, but he is clearly highly thought of by those who have, so i'm happy for him to come in.
Seems to me that this may be more of a business move than an immediate footballing one, surely this paves the way for Gordon to be sold. I've never been a massive Gordon fan, the Mig will have gained invaluable experience last season and will be all the better for it.
Not sure its as easy has lets keep them all, we will have Gordon with us until January at least, cant see anyone taking him injured. When he is fit will he want to be 3rd choice, or maybe Mig would do it, or Westwood, no one will need to be sold, indeed will demand it. So to me Bruce is covering a short term problem but ensuring he has the options long term.
I don't think the club is not trying to offload Gordon, but of course they will listen to offers if anyone is interested (Arsenal - Man City).
Well Syd, if he uses the same 'commanding' voice he uses in his goal area, he'll probably remain 3rd choice as no-one will hear him!
so much for westwood joining leeds haha well done safc, quality keeper at championship level but let's hope he can make the step up
Willing to gamble money Gordon leaves and does a friedel i.e. doesnt miss a match for 6 years or so. Is he injured. Seemed he has a stubborn streak and missed a few games with keano in charge as well.
