A View of Mark Schwarzer

In his press conference today Jol was questioned about speculation that he was searching for a new goalkeeper and where things were with Mark Schwarzer’s contract.


"I don't deny that we are looking for a goalkeeper," the Fulham manager said. "There is a lot of speculation in the press. I have a young goalkeeper in Neil Etheridge, he is out on loan and so is David Stockdale. "He doesn't want to be number two so that could be a little problem, so of course we are always looking for a goalkeeper."

Jol dismissed claims that he has reignited his interested in FC Twente stopper Nikolay Mihaylov, and claimed that although talks have dragged on somewhat, Fulham are confident of extending Schwarzer's contract. "We are talking to Mark Schwarzer like we did with Brede and the other players," Jol added.

"He is a fantastic goalkeeper so you would have to be very good to fill that space. "We have made him an offer so we are waiting. If he accepts he will stay, if not we will talk again like we did with Brede.

"We are not talking with Mihaylov. Last year we made an approach, but not this year."


Just how good a stopper Mark can be seen in this video clip -


[video=youtube;ejsUFzlH5I4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejsUFzlH5I4&feature=player_embedded[/video]

 

When the question was raised some months ago,who was Fulhams best goalkeeper,
I had MS down in my top 4,many thought that VDS was the best, but was he as good as Mark at 40 ?
I agree with Martin Jols, statement about finding a new keeper,for as a long term replacements i dont believe
either Etherington or Stockdale are our future,and it will be several years before our crop of young keepers can be fully assessed.

 

His stop on Zamora low down to his left was crucial, fingertips stuff and at such an important time. He's quality and consistant, at 40 look no further in the PL. However his kicking is not good and in fact lets him down. I think we do need to continue the search longterm. MS surely only has another 1 maybe 2 years left in him.

 

He is a superb keeper. Distribution was an area that needed addressing but his stop at Tottenham against Defoe was the save of the season for me. Hope he stays.