Kiwi when it comes to keepers any mistake is massive so the more experienced keeper should make fewer mistakes. Any kid in the outfield will make loads of mistakes but they are not so massive. BPF is set up to fail because of his age and needs wide shoulders. Dont think many are slagging him off because its the manager who is putting him there and if we dont buy a new number 1 Bielsa must have confidence in him?
Well at least it wasn’t time wasted Mike Which highlights fella? It was to his right but not low. Might have had more excuse if it had been low to be honest.
Of course mistakes are amplified more as a goalkeeper, because there’s not as many opportunities to atone for mistakes, particularly when the team is as dominant as we’ve been in many games this season. That said, the argument that a more experienced keeper wouldn’t make as many mistakes is flawed. Weidwald and Lonergan last year being case in point. BPF needs competition, and he needs to work on certain areas of his game, as we all know, Bielsa included. He’s made a few howlers, that’s clear, but he’s also made some terrific saves which have kept us in games and secured us points, which go under the radar. Jack Clarke has been excellent, don’t get me wrong, but he’s lost the ball on numerous occasions by making the wrong decision, but he’s shielded from criticism more by virtue of his position. Against Sheffield United, Aapo Halme (who I thought was very good on the whole) made an absolute hash of a clearance not once but twice, slicing it on both occasions and nearly gave away a goal, but BPF saved him by making a great one-on-one save. Point is, all players, and particularly young ones, will make mistakes. I’m not saying we shouldn’t buy another keeper, as I think we need one for competition alone, but BPF has saved us several times this season and that seems to have been forgotten!
Being young, & being in Scotland, - where Leeds didn't feature too often on the telly - I never got the opportunity to personally assess Gary Sprake. But from what I've heard, his overall performance seemed in many ways to parallel that of BPF, the only difference being that BPF is young & has the opportunity to improve, whereas Sprake was pretty much the same for the larger part of his career. (Perhaps some of our more 'experienced' contributors could pass comment on this, as I accept my paltry 2nd hand assessment might be a load of bollox). And even with all of his howlers, look at the team Sprake played in, look at what they achieved, & look at what manager picked him! If Bielsa continues to pick him, that's fine by me. If he brings someone in, that's also fine by me. #ibwt
Sprake was prone to costly howlers alright and some would say wed have won more with a better keeper back then
My view has always been if there is better than BPF out there that we can afford then we should buy regardless of whether he is young, has potential or is from our academy. Football is a ruthless business and it's always better and easier to strengthen from a position of strength, which we have at the moment. If there isn't then he carries on in goal. He can't be a complete liability as we are top!
Now seems to be a big story and moving fast. Jarrod Bowen from Hull seems to be a thing and if true we will surely hear by Saturday. BBc have it now and quite a few media outlets. 22 year old with 6 goals so far and assists and ripped it up last season too.
Fits the criteria more than a lot of names being banded about. Personally I'd prefer someone with Championship experience rather than someone coming in from abroad.
Sprake was a good goalkeeper and made many spectacular saves due to him being out of position. David Harvey was a very good goalkeeper and made few spectacular saves due to his positioning, he also made few mistakes.
Alan Nixon saying that Hull are a greedy club and may ask for too much? **Update** Nixon reckons Elam will ask for £10m and if he wont budge I think we will be buying from abroad
But will also depend on the player as we know only too well. If hes anxious for a move, outside of the PL, Leeds would surely be most players choice now. So, if he wants out, nothing much Hull chairman can do
Just peed myself because Frank Lampard has admitted he has no cash for new players but may persuade the Board to bring in a loan. I am now convinced that Derby have blown it again, still think the Blades will drop out again as they dont have cash to really compete although Billy Sharpe ( the player we should never have sold) is still scoring
