Niki Mäenpää signs a 2 year deal

[litmanen]

I'm worried too looking at who he has played for before, not convinced by this signing.
Was hoping for a new No 1 keeper not a back up for stockdale.
How often have you watched him play and who does he compare to?

I havent seen his Venlo-games for a long time, but i have read that he has been pretty good. Although, Dutch Championship league obviously is not the greatest league. But in the national team he has lost his position as number one keeper to Lukas Hradecky, and its not surprising. Estonia recently scored a goal that was a real howler from Niki, and before that he had not played in the national team for a long time, but when he did (against Hungary in a friendly game last year) there was another howler from him. But lets hope that he will do fine.

Finland could sure use another good keeper. It has not been a good year for finnish football. The only good thing has been that now we have two teams from capital city Helsinki in the finnish league, and the Helsinki derby games (HJK vs HIFK) get 10 000 people to the stadium (like today) which is something new here =)

 

[crookie]

Completely pointless signing and indicative of why our wage bill is so high. Why we need four keepers competing for one place is completely beyond me particularly as Stockdale seemed undroppable last season no matter how he performed. Keep it simple stupid (Hughton). Casper should have gone and we should have told Stockdale and Walton to compete for the single place with the keeper being picked on form just like every other position. There was no need for Niki Minage. If we don't sign quality elsewhere, one of the reasons will be because we are paying the wages of 4 keepers or 3 and a bit if Walton goes on loan.

Totally agree, how many times, barring injury does the back-up keeper play in a season, let alone the 3rd choice. You need a first choice and a back up, if one gets injured, get someone from the development squad, or a short term loan. Not sure what wages Casper is on, but a total waste of money as I'd be shocked if he got any closer than the bench to game time this season

 

[8ace]

His bins don't look that strong to me:

 

[Superphil]

One* has to question the wisdom of the clubs PR dept for letting him pose with the shirt with his specs on.



*Well I am questioning the wisdom of it at least.

 

[Bra]

One* has to question the wisdom of the clubs PR dept for letting him pose with the shirt with his specs on.



*Well I am questioning the wisdom of it at least.

Seriously have you never heard of contacts which he will wear if needed and which will make his vision absolutely fine. I don't get the hang up with the glasses

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Casper should have gone and Walton out on short loans where he can be recalled at anytime in my view.

That isn't going to give Walton the experience he needs. He might as well play in the DS.

 

[symyjym]

His bins don't look that strong to me:

I wouldn't say that.

 

[B.W.]

Welcome Niki. Don't think we need to worry too much about the glasses TBH... the only really important question is... can he genuinely compete with DS? If so, I'm in...

 

[B.W.]

I wouldn't say that.

View attachment 66702

LoL!

 

[Bra]

Welcome Niki. Don't think we need to worry too much about the glasses TBH... the only really important question is... can he genuinely compete with DS? If so, I'm in...

well said. clearly the club believe that Walton, much as Hart and Butland before him, needs regular first team football at a lower level to develop further and Stockdale needs direct competition for his position. This guy has been brought in to provide this. Lets give him a chance

 

[8ace]

Seriously have you never heard of contacts which he will wear if needed and which will make his vision absolutely fine. I don't get the hang up with the glasses

Petr Cech wears contact lenses.

 

[Macca the attacker]

Petr Cech wears contact lenses.

Think I backed a horse named that in the national this year!!! [emoji23]

 

[Munkfish]

I wouldn't say that.

View attachment 66702

This made me actually LOL. Quality.

 

[Munkfish]

People who are moaning about Having 3 keepers. What happens if we just have stockdale and casper. Stockdale gets injured we then need to get an emergancy loan in. 3 keepers is fine.

Also people moaning about Stockdale not being dropped. Clearly last season Hughton didnt feel Walton was ready to step in and Casper not good enough. This situation is now addressed. Poor form from Stockera assuming he is still number 1 will likely see him dropped from the team.

Its sensible and good business. All the moaners need not worry and can look to moan about something else. How about having 3 first team right backs?

 

[Sheebo]

I think Ankers will be on a lot less money now than when he came here. I'd also guess he's being lined up for some sort of coaching role in the future too. It's been said many times he's a good influence in the dressing room and a great bloke to have around. He also is a good bet to dish the Marlboro lights around in the showers so deserves credit for that too

 

[GT49er]

But in the national team he has lost his position as number one keeper to Lukas Hradecky

Not according to the club e-mail; it states he is the current Finnish international GK.

Edit: perhaps I should have checked whose post I was replying to first....................

 

[litmanen]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HKfmJY78ZGE

Let's not forget that Niki was playing when Finland got one their best results ever (i would actually say, the best achievement so far) in a qualifying game. He can play well against tough teams too....sometimes.

 

[Albumen]

David De Gea wears contact lenses. Maybe he's shit too?

 

[tigertim68]

Welcome Niki. Don't think we need to worry too much about the glasses TBH... the only really important question is... can he genuinely compete with DS? If so, I'm in...

I don't think it takes to much to compete with Stockdale ,hope Niki becomes first choice

 

[Diego Napier]

Appalling that Hughton makes no mention of Walton but does with Ankegren

Hughton had previously stated his intention to bring in another experienced goalkeeper alongside David Stockdale and Casper Ankergren in the summer transfer window.

"Niki's arrival allows us to loan out Christian Walton for regular first-team action, which is a vital next step in his development.

“We know from last season that Christian is very capable, but he now needs more games.

"Christian needs to play regular senior football to get to the stage where he can realistically challenge for the goalkeeper's position in our first-team. I have no doubt he will do that here in the not too distant future."