How to solve a problem like McGregor?

[Steven Toast]

Silly sod, which kindergarten do you play for? When you get to play for the big boys teams I'm sure you will hear plenty say to a goalie, something like, 'hard luck that, mate'. We're discussing things that weren't hard luck, one of them really poor (Lokeren). There's nothing wrong with a bit of supporter scrutiny, it what these forums are for, or shall everyone just slag each other off? I think the OP is relevant as I don't see Harper as a realistic challenger for the Jersey and Jak does not seem to be either; we need real competition for the position, as Mac definitely switches off and it is costing us points. Until he is properly challenged he is our No. 1 and I don't get why others needed to point that out, a bit anal, to be fair. As for your wonderfully pathetic outpourings about the ball velocity, hand and eye attributes and all around miseries of being a goalkeeper. Goalkeepers of my acquaintance would laugh their arse off while telling you to get off your cross and, probably, change your tampon. They would also tell you that he covered his nearside post inadequately, for the first goal.

Well alright then, let's put it another way. You're protecting an area that's just over 20 ft across and 8ft high. You have an average of about 0.5-1 seconds to get yourself in front of the ball from the time the bloke kicks it. You tell me that doesn't take decent reactions to keep that ball from going in the net. Yes he's paid to do it, but it doesn't make what he does any less difficult. It's not a misery, it's a choice. But as you seem to think it's a cake walk that any **** could do, perhaps you fancy a run out on Wednesday against WBA? Maybe show McGregor how to defend your near post?

 

[Fez]

Yeah but the difference is the mistakes you were making (and myself included) were because you weren't good enough. Otherwise we'd be talking about you or me. He's made the step up and built a career on being a reliable goalkeeper. I haven't seen anything other than a few blips to suggest he doesn't deserve to be our No1. I honestly don't think his form is to blame for our start and, as has been said above, to blame him for the goals on Saturday (or indeed most of the goals he has let in) is absurd. I accept Fez's stance on the Lokeren game, fair enough, but some strikers are paid hundreds of thousands of pounds a week to score goals. Not all of their shots go in or even end up on target, so why is it different when keepers drop a clanger here and there?

And I didn't say anybody wasn't entitled to their opinion, just that jumping to ****ing stupid conclusions like this thread are ridiculous things to do in the face of a couple of mistakes.

Okay, Sterling Archer, I agree with the essence of this post. I don't think anyone is jumping to ****ing stupid conclusions; a fair question has been asked with some reasonable rationale from the poser of the question. He even offered folk the opportunity to participate (it was a light hearted choice) in a straw-poll and quite a few took up that chance; what's wrong or ****ing stupid about that?

Don't jump to conclusions here, as I'm not making any daft accusations, but if I had of been a bookie, I would have been looking for unusual, unexpected betting activity surrounding that Lokeren mistake, it was so crass.

The fact remains in my mind, our No.1 keeper is prone to switching off at critical times (i.e. when the bloody ball is in play) - let's see what happens, as January is light years away.

 

[Fez]

Well alright then, let's put it another way. You're protecting an area that's just over 20 ft across and 8ft high. You have an average of about 0.5-1 seconds to get yourself in front of the ball from the time the bloke kicks it. You tell me that doesn't take decent reactions to keep that ball from going in the net. Yes he's paid to do it, but it doesn't make what he does any less difficult. It's not a misery, it's a choice. But as you seem to think it's a cake walk that any **** could do, perhaps you fancy a run out on Wednesday against WBA? Maybe show McGregor how to defend your near post?

Come on, mate, just like many, I have trained with and ran out with many a Keeper, not bad level too, but that's academic on here. Let's just presume that, as we are discussing football we both might have a background of some level or other.

I thought we had agreed, very early on, that there is nowt wrong with his reactions, they are **** hot; we don't need the technical bull, just call it the blink of an eye - that has got us all by for years.

Nobody has said it is easy, have they? What I recognise is that when you reach the top level there are standards of basic principles that are expected. The near post standard is widely recognised, which is why his fellow professionals commented on that weakness when and after it happened. In other words, it is expected of him, as a top larker, to do better in that situation. Add that to other incidents and doubts grows, for some. This thread is simply pulling thoughts together, not packing his bloody bags.

 

[CMPUNK]

You seem to think I am basing my criticism on two games when in actual fact I am basing it on since he signed for us.

He started positive and I was very impressed but as the season went on I started to feel much less confident about him being in the goal. For all the world class saves he makes, he then goes and messes up on the most simplest of tasks and therefore rendering the world class saves as irrelevant.

I hope I am wrong and his form does improve. It isn't like I am desperate for him to fail so he proves my point. I am desperate for him to disprove my point. But just as an example this week he has had two clangers at the near post and that equated to 4 lost points. (Sure many other things don't work out like Quinn missing a chance but my McGregor issue is a consistency thing.)

Is he entirely to blame for the 2-2s?? no. The entire team is to blame for throwing away the leads. But when you break that down on an individual basis, then you have to look at McGregor's contribution and failure to deal with two shots at the near post. But like I say, my criticism goes beyond these two games and he is blowing hot and cold.

Like I previously said. The poll is a landslide against what I am saying but I still believe there is some substance in my point. If I was categorically and undeniably wrong then I would expect myself to be the only person to vote otherwise but with the 30% that agree and the many comments on twitter, then there must be something in it. And if his performances continue, then that margin will narrow.

Had Jakupovic had the exact same last two games then we would all likely be calling for him to be dropped. McGregor does it and because he has a cult status then for some reason it is excused.

If Joe Hart, Casillas and Valdes can be dropped then so can McGregor. Maybe I misdirected my criticism and the real question should be 'do we need better back up goalkeeper options to provide healthy competition in goal'. Harper and Jakupovic just aren't goo enough back up and I would feel much better if we had McGregor, Oxley and a viable number1/2.


I must categorically state that I don't want him to leave and would love him to stay. But he needs to step his game up and we also need viable alternatives.

 

[Vaslav]

Judge McGregor when he has a more efficient defence in front of him. Too many players Bruce has bought, that he feels obliged to play have lost form ... Alex Bruce, McShane, Chester, Davies, Meyler etc. all had their off days but coped, if my memory serves me rightly, at least as well as Dawson, Huddlestone, Livermore ... who I'm glad to have at the club but it makes me wonder what some of our "fringe players" are really worth to anyone who wants to play that formation ... give the new signings time to develop an understanding ... injuries will almost certainly force the likes of Chester to return and we may well see the familiar resolute defending return. I was only wondering today how Hobbs was getting on ...

 

[djsowtz]

McGregor is brilliant. Has made some mistakes, but has made some amazing saves too that have gained us points.

 

[Hull1904]

McGregor is an excellent 'keeper. He just needs to be kept on his toes. For me, he needs a good back up, we have a reliable back up but not a good enough back up. Harper doesn't move and Jakupovic is crap.

 

[mazzer]

The only person to blame when a keeper gets his angles wrong, is the keeper himself, which is what happened for the first goal on saturday.