Hahaha. Actually, I think he is a fine keeper. I first saw him when he was at Cambridge and then he moved to Everton to learn his trade under their keeper coach Chris Woods, the ex-England goalie. I thought then that he had it in him to be a top keeper, and although his good displays this season have been somewhat overshadowed by the likes of Vorm and Krul etc, I think he has had an excellent season. Hopefully CanarySpurs will see this and give us his opinion.
Well, I have indeed seen him several times, both this season and last. At first, upon arriving from Everton, he wasn't that well received - due to many fans hoping for the previous year's Player's Player of the Year (Fraser Forster) to return. Throughout the Championship season, he looked solid, though he made a few 'rookie' mistakes (blunders against Nottingham Forest and Leicester) but, in my opinion, these were outbalanced by top, game winning, saves against Swansea, Doncaster & Derby. As the season wore on, he grew in stature - especially his command of his area from corners. He kept 11 league clean sheets. This season, I think he has been just as good as Vorm - with vital saves in the 0-0 draw against Chelsea at home (the first clean sheet of the season of which there have only been two), and the 1-1 draw at Klanfield. As many of you may know, he was sent off against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for bringing down Ramires in the area, when through on goal. There were calls for him to be called up to the England squad for the Dutch friendly (which I personally agreed with). Some of you may be concerned when you read he's only had 2 clean sheets, in comparison to Vorm or Krul - but I definitely think this is down to Norwich's attacking style which often leaves him exposed, as opposed to poor goalkeeping. In regards to whether I think he'd be a good fit at Spurs (which I presume is the reason you ask), I think he'd do a good job, he has good reactions but relatively poor kicking - but I think working with people like Jennings and shadowing Friedel and Cudicini he will be able to iron out his few flaws.
Thank you for your detailed reply, always good to hear from someone who has seen the guy "in the flesh" so to speak. I know Ricky Martin, the Academy director at Norwich and he raves about Ruddy. We did have him watched a while back and the weakness which was highlighted was hesitant coming off his line. Don't know if you would agree with that ??
I'd personally say his kicking and general ball control with his feet is his main weakness, though his decision making (whether to come off his line like you say) was relatively poor at first, but I think playing week in week out, especially in the Prem this season, has really helped him.
I assume that is some singer you've posted there PNP ?? That was wasted on me mate, as I come from an era when Tony Blackburn introduced Top Of The Pops and The Bay City Rollers were the top act.
Thanks again CanarySpurs. I'll keep a close eye on him at the Lane on Monday. It's good to see N orwich doing well again. I think I mentioned to you before, I spent a number of years working for Norwich Union and based in the city during the mid-70's and have held a soft spot for the football club ever since. Used to drink in a pub up the Unthank Road which was owned by Graham Paddon who played for Norwich at the time and then went onto West Ham.
I still don't rate Friedel - doesn't make any howlers but his positioning and shot stopping are worse than Gomes. Our defensive record is barely better than last year's despite having a better back four and a proper defensive midfielder
They are not Friedel's weaknesses. His weaknesses are his reluctance to challenge for high balls coming into his 6 yard box, and his decision making when it comes to kicking it long or distributing it out to either FB. His overall goalkeeping is far superior to Gomes.
No, sorry I don't. I remember a player called Jimmy Bone used to drink in it, as did Kevin Keelan who is probably the best keeper Norwich have ever had. I am going back 40 years here, which is difficult as at my age, I struggle to recall what I did yesterday morning
Newcastle fan just giving you a bit of info (seen Krul and Forster's names mentioned a fair bit) First up, Krul only turned 24 last week (2 and a half years older than £18 De Gea, 4 and a half years younger than Vorm) and has only been playing 'regular' first team football for 3 years (This is his first season as No.1) although he made his debut against Parlermo in the UEFA Cup at the tender age of 17, kept a clean sheep against a team who only the week before put 3 past AC Milan and was given MOTM! Since then he has gone from strength to strength. His only weakness for me is his distribution which is both too slow and too erratic but regardless, quite simply, if you don't rate Krul as one of the top young goal keepers out there, you've not watched him enough! Having said that, he's just signed a new contract with us and has been with us for 7 years now, so it would have to be a HUGE offer to lure him away. Palermo debut: [video=youtube;rR0B84kUf8Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR0B84kUf8Q[/video] Forster - Frazer and Tim came through the youth/reserve ranks emulating our then 1st team pairing of Given and Harper with very little difference between the two in terms of ability. Frazer went to Norwich and was a revelation and in that season, no-one knew who would be our main backup behind Harper...As it was, Krul was given the nod and Forster was sent on loan to Celtic. He kept 24 clean sheets in Scotland last year and has done the same again this year with a game less played. Having said that, I'd be dissapointed if we sold Krul and brought in Forster, he is a huge lad (6ft7) and though this helps him in the physical battles, he doesn't seem as agile as Krul and pulls off less 'worldies'. As it is, I'd be happy for Forster were he to be signed up by one of the League's big teams, but if its simply to sit on the bench, he'd be as well simply staying with us!
I think we almost agree - my issue with his positioning is that he is too static on his line so doesn't get to enough balls into the box. he may be better than Gomes, but it hasn't really shown up in our defensive record in my opinion. He is definitely the weakest link in the team
Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi has to be one of the most under-rated keepers in the Premier League. The man from Oman is have a belting game at Stamford Bridge and has just produced his third excellent save to deny Didier Drogba from giving Chelsea the lead. Still 0-0 from the bbc live report.
