mig

Just how far can mig go?

Lets face it, if gordon wasn't so flimsy, he'd prob be on the bench, and mig would still be waiting for his chance.

So can he go further, or will he be back on the sidelines, if we keep gordon, once he's fit, or if he goes and we get a new keeper?



SIMON MIGNOLET says his switch to Sunderland has given him the stage to prove he is Belgium’s first-choice keeper.

The 22-year-old won his first senior caps in Belgium’s Euro 2012 qualification victories over Austria and Azerbaijan in March, and is set to keep his place for tomorrow’s qualifier against Turkey in Brussels.

But, despite making eight appearances for the Under-21s, Mignolet admits he would not have been given a chance on the senior international stage had he remained in his homeland, playing for unfashionable top-flight side St Truiden.

However, his £1m move to Sunderland – and the fact that injuries to Scotland stopper Craig Gordon meant Mignolet played in the majority of the Black Cats’ games last season – put him in the spotlight and convinced Belgium coach Georges Leekens to give him his big break.

Mignolet said: “If I was still playing in Belgium for my old team, the manager wouldn’t be thinking about me.

“St Truiden is too small for first-choice players for Belgium.

“But when you’re playing in the Premier League week-in, week-out, the manager knows how tough the league is.

“He knows if I’m doing well, he can put me in the international team.

“The Belgium manager has seen me play for Sunderland and seen the big difference between last year in Belgium.

“It was a difficult choice for the manager to make the decision between the four keepers for the last qualifiers.

“But it’s still too early to say whether I can stay as first-choice in the long term. It all depends on how I perform for Sunderland.”

 

They've got some fantastic talent coming through those Belgians, be great to see Mig22 as part of an exciting up and coming team on the world stage.

He's a good keeper, with potential to be an excellent one.

 

At his age - looking like a good acquisitoion but I still think we need a keeper who can command the box and defence better - he's shown his youth sometimes but also looked an excellent shot stopper at others (heart in mouth sometimes!!)

Time will tell as to what happens keeper wise but I hope Brucie signs someone - even on a short term season long deal to play week in week out whilst Simon gathers his experience and trade.

 

I genuinely believe that SM has the ability and dedication to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world and certainly the best that we have ever had. He is just a young lad with improvements to be made to his game. His handling of crosses needs work but his shot stopping is as good as any goalkeeper currently playing in the EPL in my view. Very agile with astoundingly sharp reflexes. Some of the best keepers don't reach their peak until they are in their 30s. Simon has time on his side. I have been hugely impressed by him and would always pick him ahead of Gordon now.

 

I won't argue, but I saw Monty in his prime ...........

 

great young team they have, aswell as the likes of Kompany and Fellaini. I expect big things from them a WC 2014

 

AHM. That's a fair point mate about Monty. Make that "ever" the last "three decades then!"