What does everyone think of Stekelenburg so far? Not talking about that goal in the Chelsea game as that was a whipped in ball that would have caught out a lot of keepers, but overall. I think he is a good quality keeper that we desperately needed as Forster will be out for most/all of the season and he has done some great stuff (and a few knicker-alarming spills). He is part of our defence which is settling back into being as good as last season. Is he as good as Forster? Does he have the air of authority that Forster had? I would suggest not, though Forster wasn't perfect either, although an ace buy for us. Would be great to keep Stek as back-up, but doubt he would want that...very hard for a team at our level to have a good second keeper. My verdict is that I am delighted to have Stek here and he has done sterling work, but get well Forster.
Have to reiterate, I think we were lucky to get Stek. We didn't want to sign a good keeper with Forster as number one choice....we couldn't promise the 'new' keeper that he'd be number one. We had to have a good keeper....be a disaster for us to struggle through a season with a dodgy keeper. Signing Stek on a season's loan was a masterstroke...suited all parties.
Much happier with Stek between the sticks than our other choices. Decent enough for the Prem, and I'd say an excellent back-up keeper
There were times last year when I didn't have 100% confidence in Forster, I felt he got a tad lucky on occasions too. Of course, a lot of so-called 'luck' can be down to good positioning. But anyway, I've actually felt more confident with Stek. He is an imposing figure, he is happy to come for crosses without any drama and he is a good kicker. In the Chelsea game, apart from the goal, he only really made one mistake which was when he dived for a cross and failed to hold it. That could easily have led to a goal but for good defensive cover. If he is behind Forster then its not by far. I can't believe he'd stay as a number 2 though.
I was thinking about our keepers after seeing Boruc's cock-up for the Cherries at the weekend. Stek is the best keeper we've had in years. Foster's been a little inconsistent if we're being honest.
Stek had a nasty spill in the Chelsea game and we struggled to clear it....lucky we weren't playing a decent side. I expect if we look, we'd find a spill for Forster....secret is to get away with it and to keep it rare (like a good steak).
I'd have to agree with Clem and LFF - I was really happy with the signing anyway and don't rate Forster as highly as some on here do. Would be great if we could sign Stek permanently but doubt he want's to play back up at his age. Difficult for a club like us to get 2 decent keepers on the books.
I prefer Stekelenberg. He is much more of a traditonal 'keeper, in that he has good all-round attributes, and it's hard to find his weakness. While Forster excels at one thing (shot-stopping), he comes up short in another (coming off his line). That said, get well soon, big man.
I regard him as adequate in the circumstances, he was having a few problems with confidence after a bad time with his previous clubs, but with a relatively solid defence in front of him, he is getting back to being a very good goalkeeper, he has the best coach in the business looking after him and he has not let us down as far as I can see. His distribution is better than some too. He is here for a while at least until Fraser gets back into the fold, so we should be giving him our support, not slagging him off for the odd dangleberry, which will happen now and then.
Forster made the odd error last season, but he also made some spectacular saves. He is generally sound around though, in front of a good defence. I think he exudes confidence. Stekelenburg has made one error so far, to my memory, which is the one pointed out - the Chelsea cross spill. Nothing came of it. He appears to kick very well, the equal of Forster, though not in the Gazzaniga class, of course. What we don't know about is whether he can do the spectacular save, that is the one which he shouldn't be expected to do. If he can that as well as the rest, then we are talking about a keeper who can give Frazer a real bit of competition. And If he is willing to do that I'd like him to stay.
I'd describe him in 2 words: Capable. Adequate. As a stop gap, he's fine, but I'm looking forward to Fraser's return.
In truth both keepers have their particular attributes. For me Stek is a good back up but my preference if given one would be Forster.
He's big, he's Dutch, he doesn't let in much, Stekelenburg, Stekelenburg I think he's great back-up, but I'll be glad to see Fraser back between the sticks
As a number two he's fine, but the dropped cross, at Chelsea, was the second in two games, I believe. He almost did an Ospina against Swansea, if I remember correctly.
Oh wow! I completely disagree. Forster is excellent. Steak has been good but not in same class as Fraser for me. There's been a few giddy fumbles by Stek.
