The Goalkeeping Situation

The early evidence is that Ben Amos is not any better than Dillon Phillips. KR said that Amos needs to get match-fit, so maybe he will improve. But I'd rather just play Phillips as No 1. He's already been out on loan, to Cheltenham in L2, season before last and did very well, and if he does very well again we could lose him, since I believe this is the last season of his contract. And if Amos does well we'll lose him, since it would cost money to buy him. This double loan can't be financially sensible either, I just can't see the sense in it.

 

Bolder always looks in good nick when I see him go into the main entrance to do his hospitality bit.

Perhaps he could carry on walking and renew his old duties from 25 years ago.

 

Why does a goalie have to be match fit? He literally stands between two sticks for 90 minutes.

 

Kicking the ball out of play twenty times in a match takes a lot out of a keeper.

Picking up your water bottle and then throwing it back into the goal so it comes to rest right at the back of the netting. That isn't easy.

And toppling forwards onto your elbows five seconds after making a catch that a four year old could have held without falling over? It's an art.

As for the existential angst of celebrating alone in front of the opposition fans when your team scores a goal... Don't even go there.

It's a wonder that goalkeepers aren't all a bit round the twist.

 

A goalie has to be mentally alert when he is between the sticks. Rather like an accountant when he is cooking the books.

 

Ben Amos v Bristol Rovers

One good point blank save, but also spilled a couple and certainly looked very susceptible on crosses & corners (he must have missed 3/4). I suppose we will know more tomorrow after the Northampton game. He looks like a lower league journeyman keeper to me.

Dillon Philips v Exeter.

One brilliant point blank save, but should have saved their goal when a 25 yard shot intended as a cross beat him. He doesn't look to me like he has the natural ability of Nick Pope, but neither is he much different ability-wise to Amos.

 

KR was just confirming that he's continuing the policy of signing players who haven't played for ages, therefore haven't been scouted, aren't match fit, and probably aren't good enough. Big Mak for example.

 

Isn't Amos the highest paid player at Bolton, on £25,000 a week?

 

He was on between 15-20K, worth every penny as well!

 

Amos is on 18000 pound a week.

 

How much of that are we picking up ?

I reckon about 43p

 

He must have a good agent.

 

I thought it was two bob same as his keeping..... do we have a return clause for January I wonder?

 

We have had some great Charlton keepers down the years, some real "Charlton characters" too.

Nicky Johns...unlucky to have to compete with Bob Bolder
Dean Kiely
Sasa Ilic
Lili Thuram
Neil Etheridge

 

My two favourite keepers were Charlie Wright and Nicky Johns. I also liked Dean Kiely. Charlie was a fantastic character, talking to the Covered end when the ball was up the other end. I remember someone chucked him a sweet and he took the wrapper off and eat it. He was a very solid keeper with no frills. Although I remember he let the ball through his legs once.

 

I had high hopes that Pope would follow that line.

 

Another player that Seriously Red enjoyed watching develop.

 

He must be thrilled at Lookman's performance last night. He was causing chaos in the Split defense, with Koeman screaming for the ball to be played to him. Or does SR only get his thrills from seeing balance sheets?

 

I tried to find the Everton game on the tv last night; which channel was it on?

 

It was live streamed on YouTube.