It was quite mild out in the park this morning so all bodes well for a pleasent Saturday at the SoL tomorrow. With all still quiet on the transfer front and mutiny's hard eto start despite my bet efforts my thought of the day revolves around the men between the sticks. What is MON's view of our goalkeepers do you think? I ask because when Westwood came in many, me included, thought he had everything to be our number 1, he then took ill and Mig was rushed back to cover. Westwood is now OK but Mig keeps his place so why, is it because.. MON sees Mig as number 1 or MON has decided that whoever has the shirt keeps it until either injury or form makes them lose it. I think it's the second option with him seeing both equal and saying to them both earn the shirt and keep it, keeps them on their toes.
A bit of both I think, When is bloody Gordon back though ? ('Gordons alive') I still think he will be No. 1 when fit and able, if he wants to stay that is.If he does stay, i see Westwood leaving as we cant have 3 good keepers vying for 1 spot.
For me Mig's the man to stay in the nets, hes benefited most from the upsurge in confidence and looks settled, as for Mr Gordon he conceded for the reserves last week at Leigh , a goal which any pro keeper should have claimed..so perhaps still a wee bit rusty
I don't see Gordon as the number 1 automatically at all. After being out of contention for what seems like forever, he might not even be good enough now. For me, westwood should be number 1 with Gordon and the MIG competing for back up. I do think that players who grab their chance deserve to keep their place as well, otherwise they will think what's the point of trying.
Mig has shown he's a solid keeper whenever hes played. I don't know how some can say Westwood should be number 1 after just 4 games? A bit niave I think, not taking away westwoods good form for them 4 games.
Gordon is our best keeper IMO i really hope he gets fit a starts playing again http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjXIsAACBuE This is one of the bests saves ive ever seen top class
Montyesque save but I think his handling of crosses could be his downfall - he got exposed at Stoke last year altho a number of keepers do down there
If you're playing well and get dropped, it knocks the stuffing out of you. That's the last thing MON wants to do to any of his players. Right now, it's Mig's to lose. Up to him.
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill may be prepared to let one of his three international goalkeepers leave the club on loan this month. O'Neill has taken over from Steve Bruce and is spoilt for choice among his goalkeepers. Scotland No 1 Craig Gordon is finally close to match fitness after almost a year out, Republic of Ireland international Keiren Westwood will remain on the bench against Swansea on Saturday after recently losing his place through illness, to Belgian rookie Simon Mignolet, who is still playing with a mask after smashing his nose in October. Gordon, who signed in a £9million deal from Hearts three years ago, has been playing reserves team football after a long lay-off with a knee injury. The Scot is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to hold talks over a new deal. Highly-rated Westwood, who joined on a free transfer from Coventry in the summer, had to wait until Mignolet's injury before getting his chance of first team football at the Stadium of Light. And despite a string of brilliant performances he was forced out of the side at Christmas after falling ill on the eve of the New Year's Day win over Manchester City. That meant a recall for Mignolet, ahead of schedule, and the young Belgium international had kept his place since. O'Neill may be looking to strengthen in other areas but the Sunderland boss admits he is spoilt for choice between the sticks and he is prepared to allow one of the three to follow Northern Ireland keeper Trevor Carson, who has joined Hull City on loan. O'Neill said: 'It's an interesting one because just on the general viewpoint it'd be great if I knew exactly the strengths of all three players by the time the season ends. Current keeper: Simon Mignolet has impressed between the sticks 'Of course, at the moment Simon is the player in position who has stepped in and done very well. But Keiren did very well when he had his run in the side and he must be a bit frustrated while Craig's just now getting back to fitness. 'At some stage I hope someone will get some games and we can always loan someone out for a number of matches in the Championship.and that might give me a quicker answer Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...derland-allow-keepers-loan.html#ixzz1k4miknyE
I think that we have two fabulous young keepers in Mignolet and Westwood...Gordon on the other hand, although he has in the past had some great games for us, has had too many injuries and has also been too inconsistant.
Reading the piece from commo it confirms what we all knew, one will be gone in the summer and Gordon would seem at first glance the obvious choice, been out for a year, the oldest, injury doubts and contract ending. But would Westwood be happy to stay and be number 2 if Mig is number 1, he is young and with only being here a short while will not have the conection of the other 2, will he go. Mig would seem the one to stay, in now and always thought he was number 2 anyway, but does he still and the world would appeal to him because this is not his country so would maybe have more options. Hope that helped to clear things up.
