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[Albion] The Goalkeeping problem since being in the Premier League.
- Thread starter dwayne
- Start date
Amen to that!
I remember reading a few years ago that the club had worked out that young goalkeepers were undervalued in the market and subsequently started buying them up from all over. Presumably the plan was to loan out and sell on the majority as a way of making an easy profit, while keeping an eye out for one or two who could join the 1st team.
There's been a debate rumbling on here recently about whether our recruitmemt has had too much focus on signing ambitious, inexperienced young players who view Brighton as a stepping stone before their inevitable move to an elite club in 2-3 seasons. Some argue that this is what's brought us success and is the only way we can compete, but I do think we should be trying to strike more of a balance and suppliment these with a few more experienced Veltman/Gross/Wellbeck type signings (though not obviously knackered ones like Milner) - players who are less likely to fall to pieces when things go wrong but also less likely to have their agents make up a story linking them with Real Madrid when things go right.
For me goalkeeper is a position where you want some experience and continuity. A tricky winger who's a bit green, a bit flash and makes a few mistakes is one thing but between the sticks you need a calm head who you can rely on. Even if they're not going to be the next £100m sale maybe that's better, someone who can provide some defensive continuity over 5+ seasons. I do hope Bart succeeds here but it is concerning that he still so inconsistent.
Maybe all those young goalkeepers were undervalued for a reason.
Edit: in other words, basically what The Fits said
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Nobby Cybergoat
Well-known member
- Jul 19, 2021
- 9,123
All the goalies we've had since we've been in the PL have, if you look at their all round game, been probably in the worst 5 keepers in the division for every season we've been up. I think Sanchez had good save stats for a while but these didn't reflect his poor kicking and regular calamities like dropping the ball straight to opposition strikers.
Verbruggen is also one of the worst keepers in the division if you look at his all round game. This is entirely to be expected. It's very unusual to have such a young keeper learning his trade at the top level. I think he probably will turn out to be a decent goalie, (though never a CL level goalie). But we can expect the next couple of years to be littered with the sort of errors and unconvincing save attempts we've seen. When he gets to 24ish, with all the experience we'll have given him, he'll likely move on for not much profit and do well for someone else.
The issue is, whether keeper is the position to be developing players of that age at this level. It's near impossible to find a 21 year old who has the game of a 30 year old.
I actually think the best goalie we've had in the PL is Steele. He is the one who worked best with the tactics we had anyway. He's basically always been a lower league keeper, but his footwork and experience bailed him out.
Anyone tempted to stick up for the qualities of our keepers, ask this? How many games have keepers won for us with a strong of quality saves? Because i've seen plenty of oppo keepers win them points at the Amex. How many penalties have we kept out? Or even got near?
Verbruggen is also one of the worst keepers in the division if you look at his all round game. This is entirely to be expected. It's very unusual to have such a young keeper learning his trade at the top level. I think he probably will turn out to be a decent goalie, (though never a CL level goalie). But we can expect the next couple of years to be littered with the sort of errors and unconvincing save attempts we've seen. When he gets to 24ish, with all the experience we'll have given him, he'll likely move on for not much profit and do well for someone else.
The issue is, whether keeper is the position to be developing players of that age at this level. It's near impossible to find a 21 year old who has the game of a 30 year old.
I actually think the best goalie we've had in the PL is Steele. He is the one who worked best with the tactics we had anyway. He's basically always been a lower league keeper, but his footwork and experience bailed him out.
Anyone tempted to stick up for the qualities of our keepers, ask this? How many games have keepers won for us with a strong of quality saves? Because i've seen plenty of oppo keepers win them points at the Amex. How many penalties have we kept out? Or even got near?
Yes, why do we continue to fail when every other club, including the likes of Liverpool and City, all have goalkeepers with the saving ability of Lev Yashin and the distribution with the feet of Glen Hoddle.
What a dumb thread.
What a dumb thread.
Nobby Cybergoat
Well-known member
- Jul 19, 2021
- 9,123
That stuff doesn't show the important things. How often do they pass to opponents leading to goals 3 seconds later? How often do they come, flap and miss, leading to a tap in? How often do they make a ridiculous decision to sprint out of the box, not get there and get sent off. The evidence of your eyes is much more valuable.
Justice
Dangerous Idiot
This question came up the other day, when was the last keeper we had was not a cause for concern. I would say Stockdale in the promotion season.
Justice
Dangerous Idiot
What in the world of football with unlimited money you would plump for Bart?
If we play out from the back which seems to be the enduring football strategy of the club and managers selected on their ability to apply those tactics then bad distribution from your keeper is a huge problem. Bart was even recruited because of his passing stats. I think Bart has been bang average after a promising start to the season. Would like to see what Rushworth can do tbh.
Isn't it tiring?
brighton_tom
Well-known member
- Jul 23, 2008
- 5,986
Bart has made a few mistakes, but has had many very good performances (which seem to get forgotten easily) & I’m confident he’ll improve so it’s a bit harsh to label him as a problem.
- Thread starter
- #35
So you've spoken to real then or as I suspect it's just agent talk?Despite real Madrid interest*
So who should I believe in respect of Bart and his attributes as a young goalkeeper - serial winners and European super power Real Madrid or some random bloke on NSC who many believe is a parody account
- Thread starter
- #36
Seems to have generated a fair amount of debate. Thanks for your valuable input though lol
You quoted Real Madrid interest - have you spoken to them?
- Thread starter
- #38
Alleged interest via the media. That's my whole point.
Blues Guitarist
Well-known member
Yes, it's just you.
- Thread starter
- #40
I take it you haven't read the other responses to this thread then.