Pope still has a chance to recapture his form, Dubravka is 36 in a few weeks so we shouldn't keep him beyond this season, but we should definitely hang on to him for now. I just don't think we should upset the keeper situation right now when things are going so well. Come the summer, Dubravka, Gillespie and Ruddy will all be gone, so we're due for a keeper reshuffle. Is Trafford the answer right now? I don't know. Vlach is ok, and should play on Sunday at least.
Well James Trafford apparently, seems decent, but extremely young for a keeper at 22. Pope is 33 in April so still has a good few years left, Trafford won't want to be on the bench.
If he does go it'll be with much thanks and gratitude to what he's given us over 7 years - little wobble when Pope came in but he's a pro who want's to play and not just collect a salary so I respect that - From a clean sheet vs man u to one vs arsenal last night he's been a solid player for us since we've come back up. Personally I'd keep him - and as someone said further up the thread, he'd keep the number 1 jersey for me, until his form drops off, over Pope - BUT £8m is to much to turn down for a 36 y/o keeper tbh and fair play to him, he'll probably double his money and 0% tax out there for a few years to set him and his family up nicely for retirement!
Can I remind everyone that he cockled off to Manure a couple of years ago and came crawling back with his tail between his legs.
I find it hard to criticise anyone seeking a move in order to try and achieve first team football if they're not getting game time of any note, least of all a goalkeeper. It's not like they can play anywhere else so if you're only getting picked for early round cup games and sat around waiting for #1 to pick up an injury then eventually you're gonna want to be off. I will wish him all the luck in the world if he does leave (again), he's done a more than adequate job when called upon and saved us in games on many occasions. I still remember his debut for us against Man Utd and a very similar performance shutting out Tottenham a good while back as well singlehandedly.
Thing is despite what anyone else says Eddie Howe has Pope as his number one so he’ll be back in as soon as he’s fit. If he stays fit then essentially Dubs would be staying for maybe 3 games one of which Vlachodimis deserves a run out in anyway. With the wages included that means keeping Dubs for two games could cost us £10M. Sadly it just doesn’t make sense and I can’t see him wanting to sign an extension to stay as number two or possibly three keeper. People were saying it’s time to replace him before we signed Pope and last season when he was in for Pope and he’s almost 36. He’s been a great player for us and had an excellent run just now but the move is best for both him and us. Wish him all the best.
Don't give a **** about that right now tbh, he's playing well and that's all that matters. Pope wasn't playing great before he got crocked and couldn't keep a clean sheet to save his life, and doesn't have a return date right now. Vlach seems ok, but an injury to him and we'd be down to Ruddy if Dubravka goes now.
Ruddy Hell. If we can get 8m for Dubz I would take it. Thats a high fee for a keeper his age and gives us 4x the value to strengthen the RW.
Dubravka has done well but lets not forget that he is a very limited goalkeeper. If we want to be a top side we need a top keeper.
Agree with that. The keeper, to me, is the first area that I'd say we're not near the best in the Premier League. We need the next Shay Given if we're looking to improve right now.
Question is who is going to step in. Has to be Vlachodimos. I hope we are not signing Trafford as an immediate replacement. Promising but for the future.
£6m? A lot for his age and contract status... Not sure it'll do a whole lot for our financial clout, but every little helps I suppose. Hopefully we get a decent retirement, or Odysseas steps up and does well.
