New Goalkeeper on the way?

Port Vale have confirmed that Ryan Boot is being given a trial:


"Vale goalkeeper Ryan Boot has joined Premiership side Fulham this afternoon for a week’s experience and will play for Fulham’s under 19’s side this weekend against Aston Villa.

The Vale youngster has not yet played for the first team and is behind Chris Neal and Sam Johnson in the pecking order, but is well thought of at the club and it is believed he could have a bright future."

Source: http://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/article/20131017-boot-joins-fulham-1118611.aspx#H8dHydPK0hCkGImP.99

[They obviously meant the U18s who play Villa on Saturday at Motspur Park, kick off 12.30]


As I've said before, our strategy regarding keepers is so confusing. Given the number of quality young keepers already at the Club this, with all respect to young Boot who I'm sure is excellent, simply adds to that.

 

Isn't there only one keeper in the u21s at the moment and two in the u18s? Maybe the club see a need for another keeper to keep two in each? Can't hurt having another quality player in the academy.

 

Could Etheridge be off then? Seems odd to sign another when we already have Joronen and Bellettini (sp) in reserve.

 

We do seem to have a plethora,of keepers,not to sure about Etheridge,
but wouuld love to see Jeronen given some game time.

 

I was looking at the academy squad the other day or maybe the u21 can't remember but it had three young keepers all of whom I have heard at some point being referred to as potentially quality and this did not include Etheridge.

 

Bettinelli is on loan at Accrington for the season, and playing week in week out so it's probably better for us that he stays for the full season. At the moment the keepers we have available are Stockdale, Etheridge, Joronen, Rodak and Norman. If Stockdale gets injured then we have to rely on Etheridge as our number 1 and Joronen as our number 2 so an extra keeper might well be needed.

 

There's also Max Oberschmidt who is with Celtic at the moment. And one other who doesn't feature on the official site and whose name I can't for the life of me remember.

And then there is Jose Mourhino who is now playing regularly with the U16s. Only joking about him moving up, but it's worth noting that Rodak and Norman are themselves only 16.

 

Look what Stockdale just retweeted on Twitter...

@OptaJoe: 34 - Fulham's @stockogk1313 has made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season. Sharp.

I'm shocked! Especially as he hasn't played all our games thus season. I thought he'd been pretty mediocre this season. Granted he is a pretty good shot stopper. I think this says more about our muddled defence and midfield inviting teams to shoot.

 

Stockdale is an excellent shot stopper. No-one denies that, and its not a surprise he makes so many saves given our ongoing issues in the middle of the park. Where Stockdale is lacking is in commanding his area and organising his defense; one could say that the number of saves he has to make supports those questions.

I am really sick of seeing opposition players being given so much space to work with in front of our defense though. Our complete lack of young, energetic defensive midfielders is troubling. We just can't keep up with opposing teams with so many aging midfielders.

 

Well Stekelenburg is starting tonight, so that perhaps answers that question!

EDIT: Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale posted on Twitter about being replaced by Maarten Stekelenburg tonight: "Seen it a mile off."

To be honest, if Stek is fit then he plays.

 

Why hasn't he been reprimanded for these comments?

 

I feel sorry for Stockdale he hasn't really done anything wrong but he is a solid back up keeper and if fit it's Stekelenburg every day for me! You could tell he was pissed of in the warm up booting the ball anywhere so someone had to get it a few times. I ve got a couple of good friends who know him personally and say he is a really good guy, one of them runs a charity and Stocky does work for them. Apparently we had a few offers for him in the summer including Hull but our asking price was to high, I think we should let him go for a reasonable price if he wants first team football.

 

Probably because there's no real way of proving that he was referring to the Stekelenberg selection.

 

Jol on the Stek v Stock situation:


"Jol said: 'Maarten came to us and we paid more money for him than for other players, beside Bryan Ruiz a couple of years ago. I didn't buy him to be on the bench, you know what I mean?"

'He did very well when he started, saved a couple of points against Sunderland. 'Stockdale did well, but Maarten was fit for the last two weeks and showed that he was fit and that he could play again. I asked him if he could play and he said 'yes'."

"I had a little word with Stockdale and of course he isn't pleased but that is the decision I made."


Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...-battle-Fulham-keeper-spot.html#ixzz2iUQBIPyQ

 

And with Stekkers fit, Jol is reported as again looking to send Etheridge on loan:


"Fulham will listen to loan offers for young keeper Neil Etheridge now Maarten Stekelenburg is back to fitness.

The Philippines international has made just one first-team appearance for the Whites, but featured 12 times for League Two Bristol Rovers last campaign. Boss Martin Jol planned to send the 23-year-old out to get first-team football earlier this summer, only for Stekelenburg to get crocked at Sunderland on the opening day of the campaign.

However, the Dutchman will consider offers for third-choice Etheridge now that Stekelenburg is back in the fold, with David Stockdale providing back-up.


Source: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-weigh-up-loan-move-6228324