During the week there was more than a few calling for Westwood to be in goal, Mig had a good game, is he now your new favorite NO.1? An extact from tonights echo. SIMON Mignolet was given a watching brief at the Britannia Stadium while his counterpart wilted in the winter sunshine. Itâs never easy for a goalkeeper under Stoke Cityâs set-piece bombardment to deal with the often illegal intrusions of their behemoths, but Craig Gordon found himself shouldering the blame for Sunderlandâs 3-2 defeat in the Potteries last February. For all their domination from open play, Sunderland â and particularly Gordon â were far too brittle from set pieces and Stoke bundled the ball home twice in the last seven minutes to send Steve Bruceâs side on a downward spiral. Mignolet insisted last week that Sunderland couldnât afford to dwell on Stokeâs patented attacking threat. But privately, the Belgian will have known the responsibility lay on his shoulders to avoid the pitfalls Gordon fell into in the clubsâ last meeting with the Premier Leagueâs anti-entertainers. Yesterday saw an inauspicious start from the 23-year-old as he spilled the first of Rory Delapâs 11 missile launchers and relied upon the scrambling abilities of his defenders to preserve Sunderlandâs early two-goal lead. But, after being suitably buoyed by a superb tip over from Marc Wilsonâs free-kick moments later, Mignolet stood up to the test of courage, even if he physically paid the price by undergoing three sets of treatment. The former St Truiden stopper pawed, punched and caught his way out of danger in a way his twice-at-fault £3.5million opposite number Asmir Begovic damagingly failed to achieve.
I think he did do well yesterday. Still nowhere near the finished article and had a couple of flaps but he is only young. Very brave throughout. Would rather have him on our books than not, although if Gordon could show a bit more physicality I would prefer him. Not seen enough of Westwood to judge really.
I must admit i am not a mig fan but i thought he was tremendous yesterday and he can only get better. I still like Gordon but his strength worries me at times
I thought Migg was superb yesterday, I have seen Westwood play for Cov as one of my best mates is a cov fan and I occasionally go with him. Westwood is quality too and if Gordon does go we have 2 great options. I am in the Migg camp at the moment.
