Do you think NA sees Gazzaniga as purely a backup or as a potential replacement for Kelvin? By that, I mean do you think he'll be looking to buy a tried and tested replacement as Kelvin gets older or try to grow Gazza into the role? I've always been a big fan of Kelvin but I have to be honest and admit that I think his performances are tailing off a little. Notwithstanding the penalty saves, he seems to be allowing more shots to rebound than in the past (though that may be a reflection of better finishing by the attackers) and his distribution, which I've always worried about, seems to be getting worse. So, do you see Gazza shaping up or should NA be looking to fill in in January?
Well none of us have seen him play so it's difficult to tell. Gillingham fans reckon he's something special but who knows if he's premier league quality. Wait and see!
I'm certain that he was signed as the long term replacement to SKD although he was probably second choice to our main transfer target, Jack Butland, until Brum started asking silly money for a basically untried Keeper.
I think we'll get someone with experience to push Kelvin in January, and probably become first choice soon after. Then Gazzaniga can be loaned out for game time and be first team in a couple of years. Remember that Gazzaniga and Butland were both playing in League Two last year and both have had huge premiership interest. Butland's now in the Championship and I think that Gazzaniga could join him for the latter end of the season. Maybe Gazzaniga will need an extra season but would then be ready to make the step up, game time is very important for young goalies. Butland's an England international, and I've heard posters (albeit Gillingham fans) say that the only difference between Gazzaniga and Butland is that Butland has a huge price tag!
Well Butland looks quality already do if Gazza is that good he's certainly good enough. I'll reserve judgement until I see him play a few times though. Was he really in demand by lots of premier league clubs though? Which ones?
I remember articles and just double checked to be sure saying "a host of Premier League clubs" but we were the only team whose name got mentioned.
It's up to Gazzaniga, isn't it? He's in an ideal situation...at a PL club with the number 1 keeper edging towards the end of his career. If he takes his chance to learn from SKD and improve, he will be ready to take over. If he doesn't, he may miss his opportunity and see another keeper come in and jump over him. I'm not knocking Kelvin...I hope he has a great season, but Gazza has to take his chance if it comes.
What I have seen of him I like, he seems confident, has shot stopping ability, not sure about one on ones yet and not seen his distribution tested, he is one for the future, but how soon? Too early to say.
I remember seeing that YouTube vid of his kicking and thinking it was incredible, but in his first friendly game his first touch was a weak clearance straight to a striker, so it's difficult to judge him so far. Did he make some good saves against Stevenage then? The doubt over most keepers is their ability to claim aerial balls, I'd be interested to see how he copes with those (though preferably not in a premier league game!)
Even then Butland is a fortunate victim of circumstance as the England goalkeeping coach from the euros was (is?) the Birmingham goalkeeping coach so was able to sing his praises as working with him on a daily basis. From what I've heard (unfortunately not seen) there is no real difference in quality and potential. Funny old game thou and getting played at the wrong time can destroy confidence in a young goalkeeper as well as make them. Has anyone seen much of Gazza?
Guys...... do you know I seem to have had a similar conversation a few years ago. It was just after we had signed a certain young Polish Goal keeper. A couple of weeks later he was thrown in at the deep end and kept his place until he too was injured. Unfortunately he was never a regular again. When his chance finally came he just wasn't the same goalkeeper. So who knows until the lad is given his chance at playing in the first team in the Premier league. That is the only time we will know whether he does have what it takes.......do you not agree?
The main difference between Gazzaniga and Butland is the pricetag due to Butland's international recognition in a crisis. I have every confidence in Gazzaniga once he gets going.
I'm amazed so many think he is Butland's equal. I sure hope you're right, because Butland is the real deal.
Saw him play once last season for the Gills - Cant say i noticed much of him though - maybe thats a good thing - he didnt make any mistakes. Some mates who watch Gills regularly really rated him and are going to miss him and not overly inspired by seeing Forecast go their way. i think he will be a long term replacement and may play a big part soon. I am a big SKD fan but he looked really shaky and nervous against Man City and some of his kickouts against Man Utd were awful. seems odd to say that skd has not been at his best when he has made 2 penalty saves.
SKD's main weakness is his distribution. He's pretty much fine everywhere else. From what I've seen, Gazzaniga has fabulous distribution. If he can bring the pure goalkeeping skills to bear, then he'll be a real successor to Kelvin.
