In the last 10 games, since Marcus Bettinelli took over in goal, Fulham have: 25 points out of a possible 30 [ 7 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss ] 25 goals for and 8 against 40% clean sheet ratio [ in the previous 10 games it was 10% and in the 10 before that 20% ]
Long may it continue,and prove me wrong in my constant criticism of him. Still like to see Vorm come the summer
I've always felt more comfortable with Betts over Button, I still believe Betts has the odd mistake in him but Button has a lot more in him! Betts is good enough to be first choice for the championship but if were to get promoted I'd really be looking for us to get a top keeper in.
We need to stick with Betts, he is a decent keeper who although still has a mistake in him is at an age where he could well still be improving and who knows where that trajectory may hit a ceiling! I don't think there is to much between him and Button but Button has probably hit his level Betts has the potential to get even better!
I'm convinced the back 4 seem less nervous with him in goal, he seems to be communicating with them during the game, I can't hear what he's shouting most times. He is a decent goalkeeper but I wouldn't yet put him in as a top class keeper. It would seem both keepers have been coached with their kicking skills if they do have to launch it and Bettinelli seems more comfortable with that option (even if it is the opposite to what the coach wants), where as Button seems to stick with passing it out even in tight situations that put the receiving player under pressure. I know which one gives me less heart attacks.
I don't think there's much between Betts & Button on a technical level, although Betts does seem to have the edge in confidence from his teammates. It is starting to feel like one of those situations for Button where it just isn't going to work out. Not because of anything he's done particularly wrong, but just because the cards didn't fall his way.
I think the cards fell the way he fumbled them, on more than one occasion. At his best, he's been good; the problem is that you never know when the next mistake is coming.
I think both our keepers suffer from Jokanovic wanting to play a high risk passing game at the back. Button has had some well documented errors and this could hit his confidence in dealing with poor passes, at the same time the defenders could be more wary of passing him the ball because of these mistakes. I think confidence plays a big part, which seems to have coincided with the run of victories and not shipping silly goals since Bettinelli has come in.
I think the value of teammate relationships is much underrated in modern football. I don't think it's a coincidence that our centrebacks seem to perform better in front of Bettinelli, just as Fredericks performs better without Ojo and Kalas is better with Ream. Football is all about partnerships and whatever the reason, Button hasn't been able to build up that good dynamic with our defenders.
Yesterday was Bettinelli's 4th clean sheet in 6 games; one more than we achieved at the Cottage all of last season. Not that he had to put in a lot of effort in this game - SuperMac and the other four in front of him were that good.
