OK, we may have no strikers BUT.....

[Bald Gull]

..... we will definitely have the best reserve keeper in the division!!!


From the Argus today:

Rivals told to fight for place


Michel Kuipers and Ben Roberts will go head to head to earn the No. 1 spot for Albion's season opener at Oldham on August 9.

Seagulls boss Steve Coppell has issued a challenge to both goalkeepers to stake their claim, which will begin in the pre-season friendly at non-league Woking tonight.

It was expected that Kuipers, a first team regular until a thigh injury sidelined him in January, would reclaim the spot with his deputy Dave Beasant departed.

But Coppell remains concerned about the Dutchman's kicking, a legacy of his New Year injury.

He sees Roberts, signed on a two-year contract after a successful loan spell last season, as a direct rival.

Coppell said: "With Michel having been injured so long we were still not 100 per cent on his kicking ability and how long he could sustain it for.

"I made the decision that I could get a goalkeeper of substance in. I couldn't run the risk of having a very inexperienced No. 2 knowing that maybe Michel might break down again.

"Certainly the competition will be healthy for both Michel and Ben.

"At this moment in time if you asked me who was going to be my No. 1 choice I wouldn't know.

"It's down to who shows up the best in the next couple of weeks."

Fulham have taken Beasant on trial for their tour of Austria.

The 44-year-old keeper rejected a new deal at Albion after spending the second half of the season in the first team while Kuipers was sidelined.

Beasant's lawyer Tim Bailey said: "Dave has travelled to Austria and Fulham want to take a look at him during games out there.

"Dave still believes he has something to offer and can play in the Premiership."

Albion triallist Gaetano Giallianza, a Swiss-born striker, will make his debut at Woking.

The former Norwich, Servette and Nantes player started training with the Seagulls on Monday.

He has been out of football for a year since being released by Norwich after he had recovered from a knee ligament injury.

Paul Watson, who missed the trip to Crawley last Saturday because of a knock, is expected to be fit.

 

[Dunkstar]

I think whoever is chosen should be stuck with for a good run otherwise it's gonna get silly.Competition=Motivation though!

 

[Bald Gull]

Agreed dunkstar.

I reckon it will definitely be Roberts. Coppell is unsure about Kuipers' kicking and he has looked pretty shaky in the two warm-up games so far as well. If Roberts performs in the friendlies like he did for us last year, he will undoubtedly be Number 1 at the beginning of the season.

 

[Deano's Right Foot]

Haven;t got the stats to hand, but in the games where Roberts played last season I'm pretty sure we did well. He seemed to inspire confidence, and looked just as good (if not better) as FDM.

 

[Yorkie]

Haven;t got the stats to hand, but in the games where Roberts played last season I'm pretty sure we did well. He seemed to inspire confidence, and looked just as good (if not better) as FDM.

Four matches and only let in two goals (against what are now Premiership teams Wolves and Pompey)

Clean sheets against Bradford and Millwall

So we won 3 and drew 1

 

[CHAPPERS]

Meaning we have never lost a game with Roberts in goal?

 

[Yorkie]

Yep

 

[Curious Orange]

Kuipers will thrive on the competition though, and I can see both keepers having sustained runs between the sticks this season. Not a bad thing at all!!

 

[Marc]

Kuipers in the 2nd last time around was superb on occasions, Roberts when on loan was to me equally impressive. Its gonna be a decent battle and as long as they motivate each other without bitching then its gonna be a good little competition for them both.
Personally I liked Roberts alot last season but if they are both fit and both playing well then either one between the sticks will do!

 

[Deano's Right Foot]

Three wins and a draw with Roberts in goal - nearly a quarter of our points for the season in four matches and against decent opposition too. May be a coincidence, but it's a good sign.

 

[Herne Hill Seagull]

Kuipers' reaction to setbacks has always been excellent. Many 'keepers would not have recovered from what happened to him at Southend on his debut.

Personally, I think Roberts is a better bet - almost as good a shot stopper, more confident with the ball in the air (and therefore less prone to mistakes) and his kicking's excellent. But I've got a lot of time for Kuipers - his reactions are the best I've ever seen and his attitude is perfect.

Having both of them is the best thing to come out of the pre-season so far (I'm aware that competition for this accolade has not been fierce).

 

[Brady's Old Lady]

Anyone remember the days of Graham Mosely and Eric Steele going head to head.

Similar situation really I always thought Steele was the better shot stopper and Mosely was the better all round keeper. The competition always seemed to work in our favour though.

Of course in those days there wasn't so much reliance on kicking ability