John Sullivan

[Scotty Mac]

Not that I know anything about being a goalkeeper, but I imagine it's the hardest position in which to start your career. Outfield players can come in, play the odd 10 minutes here and there, drift in and out of games until they get used to it. By throwing a keeper into the first team at 17 or 18, you are putting ridiculous pressure on him to perform straightaway, and if they don't then they may never recover. Plus, seeing as keepers don't even reach their peak until about 30, it's not like Sullivan hasn't got time on his side.

spot on. its the hardest position to play, as if you make a mistake it can be far more costly than anywhere else on the park

best time to break a keeper in is when their is nothing riding on the game - such as a cup game, or end of season match. ideal time to play him therefore was at the end of last season

 

[Icy Gull]

if you go along those lines, what can jose mourinho teach any of his chelsea team? it shouldn't matter what level you played at if you're a decent coach

Because I reckon coaching 11 players and being responsible for tactics is far more complex than coaching a keeper. You can hardly have a game plan for a keeper depending on the opposition can you.

 

[Pettitt303]

hmmm, wilkins had the choice of sullivan and martin, and chose sullivan, so obviously rates him fairly highly?

so tell me ? why has sullivan NEVER got a chance?
i no will packham wos utter toss...but its the same all over again
is the same going to happen to winterton?

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

You can hardly have a game plan for a keeper depending on the opposition can you.

Not true.

 

[Icy Gull]

Not true.

come on then let's hear the scenarios..

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

come on then let's hear the scenarios..

Set Pieces - setting walls for free kicks depending on who is taking them.
Corners - weather a certain player tends to curl them inwards or out
Kicking - who to aim for, or to hold on to the ball or release it quickly
If the team is going to defend high he will have to be further up to act as a sweeper.
Certain players crossing habbits would be watched, if he tends to hammer it low and hard, cut it back etc.

 

[Icy Gull]

Set Pieces - setting walls for free kicks depending on who is taking them.
Corners - weather a certain player tends to curl them inwards or out
Kicking - who to aim for, or to hold on to the ball or release it quickly
If the team is going to defend high he will have to be further up to act as a sweeper.
Certain players crossing habbits would be watched, if he tends to hammer it low and hard, cut it back etc.

Fair comment but it is doesn't really compare to what you'd need to be able to organise as a manager or team coach, which was the point I was trying to make, probably badly.

 

[Mendoza]

Sullivan has improved loads in the last year. Firstly he has grown massivly in stature, bulked himself out and he commands the defence really well in the reserves

I think he should be given a chance, especially if we are trying loanee youngsters who arent any better than him

People forget that Sullivan has represented England already, so he must be given the nod WHEN kuipers gets injured for x months

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Fair comment but it is doesn't really compare to what you'd need to be able to organise as a manager or team coach, which was the point I was trying to make, probably badly.

Getcha now!

 

[¤DãŃn¥ §êãGüLL¤]

Gay is gay

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

So are you, but you made me cum friday

 

[Freddie Goodwin.]

There was a time last season when we appeared to be 'safe' nad that was when Sullivan/Martin should have been given a chance. The policy is always to bring in a string of loanee keepers and this must undermine the confidence of our own keepers and confidence to keepers is vital.