I thought what this messageboard really needed was another goalkeeper thread! One of the constant features of this Summer's transfer gossip has been rumours of keepers coming in and out of Fulham. Unlike last year, when we nearly lost him to Arsenal, there doesn't seem to have been much discussion about the children's story writing, Australian literati baiting, legend that is our current no. 1, Mark Schwarzer. I thought at the time that Hughes was right to hang on to him last year, and with hindsight still think he was. However, if someone came in and offered him Champions League football now I'm pretty sure he'd leave with my blessing. Fact is, we've got a highly rated, and no longer particularly young, 'keeper in David Stockdale champing at the bit desperate for 1st team action, particularly now he's on the fringes of the England set-up. Standing in his way is a player who will be 39 in a few months time, and who surely can't play on for more than a year or two at the highest level (he's two years younger than Edwin Van Der Sar). Is it time for Schwarzer to be allowed to leave for a nominal fee, and for us to look to the future with Stockdale? Or better for Stockdale to spend his first year in the Prem at Swansea and see how he handles the pressure there?
If we are looking to the future and Schwarzer goes then we must look to get an experienced keeper. A decision has to be made either to go with Stockdale now or sell him. We need to get a Van der Sar not a Tony Warner type keeper, but where would that leave Stockdale on his return if we do loan him out to Swansea?
I think Stocky would be well-placed to be our number 1. We're far from a high-profile club, and our defence (well, most of it) is solid, so the pressure would be minimal, relatively-speaking. He did well when he stood in for MS last season, and in my eyes has earned his chance. We will, however, need a reliable backup.
I haven't seen Etheridge play, but even though he is an "experienced international" do you think he is ready to step in to a run of games in the prem should he be number 2? It's a tricky situation, but if I had to decide, with what info I have currently - I'd promote Stockdale and try to loan in a number two. Maarty will know better what the situation is and I guess we have to trust him on this = I think it will be a difficult call for him too
I'm with Tosh - I'm very happy with the idea of Stockdale as number one, but very uneasy with Etheridge being the first reserve just yet.
