withdean goalies

[Oscar]

Had Roberts played anywhere near the number of games FDM did for us then I'm sure the usual critics would have poked just as many holes in him as they did Kuipers by the end of his time here.

Kuipers was by far the best keeper of the Withdean years. A briliant shot stopper, a leader on and off the pitch and a winner through and through.

 

[Scampi]

Had Roberts played anywhere near the number of games FDM did for us then I'm sure the usual critics would have poked just as many holes in him as they did Kuipers by the end of his time here.

Kuipers was by far the best keeper of the Withdean years. A briliant shot stopper, a leader on and off the pitch and a winner through and through.

Kuipers was (is?) a great shot stopper, but the rest of his game was a little suspect. Poor distribution, average on crosses, not exactly quick off his line and a tendency to blame the defence for his mistakes. A great servant to the club, but by no means the best keeper of the Withdean years.

 

[Curious Orange]

There are a lot of blinkered views about Michel Kuipers, with people saying he wasn't as good as keeper x, y, or z. The myth about his kicking was always entertaining given that it stemmed for getting substituted in his first match... and he sorted it out subsequently - sure, not the best distribution, just average.

He was undoubtedly the best shot-stopper the club has had since Mark Beeney, and his saves contributed as much to our back-to-back championship seasons as Zamora's goals did. He wasn't the same after the shoulder injury, sadly... which is when the critics started coming out of the woodwork.

 

[Biscuit]

On his day Kuipers was incredible. Roberts was also quality but won't be remembered with the same fondness. So FDM all the way for me. An icon of the Withdean era.

 

[Basil Fawlty]

Theres probably more to chose from? These include subs I think

Andersen
Ankergen
Beasant
Blayney
Brezovan
Cartwright
Chaigneau
Crichton
Flinders
Flitney
Henderson
Jones C
Jones S
Kuipers
Martin
May
Ormerod
Packham
Pelling
Petterson
Poke
Roberts
Royce
Shabaan
Smith
Sullivan
Walker
Walton
Yelldell

Go on Brett, I dare you to do a poll.....

 

[Easy 10]

FDM for me, not through blinkered affection but just for the fact that he was one of the best shot-stoppers I have ever seen, brave as a lion and absolutely FILLED the goal. He was a keeper that inspired confidence in the defence.

Worst ? Graeme Smith. I have never cacked myself as regularly as whenever the ball came near that bloke. I swear he had a bloody great hole in him, every shot seemed to go straight through him.

 

[Scampi]

There are a lot of blinkered views about Michel Kuipers, with people saying he wasn't as good as keeper x, y, or z. The myth about his kicking was always entertaining given that it stemmed for getting substituted in his first match... and he sorted it out subsequently - sure, not the best distribution, just average.

I don't think it was a myth about his kicking and here's why. I spoke with a scout from a championship level club some time around 2002/3 who was looking at another of our players. Among other things I asked him if he'd ever reported on Michel. He hadn't but one of his colleagues had. The consensus was that his allround game wasn't good enough for the higher level especially his distribution. In effect he was saying that the problem was he was too slow, not accurate enough and that this made every ball he played forward a 50/50.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

roberts was probably the most talented, but as kuipers was around for longer i probably PREFERRED him

 

[Simster]

Probably Ben Roberts, but big Casper isn't too far behind.

People are so blinkered on Kuipers. He wouldn't get near my top 3, let alone the best. Best shot stopper maybe, but overall goalkeeper nowhere near.

It depends which version of Kuipers we're talking about. Kuipers was outstanding for us in those early years - commanded his area well, great shot stopping, but his kicking and distribution have always been his achiles heel. Too bad he outstayed his usefulness really, because by the time we got to around 2008/9 he was a total liability and was a complete bully who consequently helped destroy the confidence of the back 4 in front of him.

 

[NMH]

There was a reason why Kuipers was with us all that time - and we were not looking hard for a replacement.


FDM, all day.

 

[Da Man Clay]

Roberts. Such a shame he had to retire early due to injury.

 

[JBizzle]

I don't think it was a myth about his kicking and here's why. I spoke with a scout from a championship level club some time around 2002/3 who was looking at another of our players. Among other things I asked him if he'd ever reported on Michel. He hadn't but one of his colleagues had. The consensus was that his allround game wasn't good enough for the higher level especially his distribution. In effect he was saying that the problem was he was too slow, not accurate enough and that this made every ball he played forward a 50/50.

Yes, but I think thats the same for a lot of 'keepers who kick the ball long. Seriously, when isn't a long-ball a 50:50? Interestingly, his kicking VASTLY improved after Keeley left and a new GK coach came in (can't remember his name).

I will always go for Kuipers because he is one of the only Brighton 'keepers that I can remember several astounding gravity defying saves.

PS. I possibly also rate him a little higher because of how much I truly HATED Henderson as our goalie who kept him out of the team and was our goalie when we were relegated from the Championship.

 

[BHAryan]

I thought henderson was good whilst on loan but as soon as we signed him he was as useful as a cardboard cut out with a big kick

 

[Stevie Boy]

Roberts. Such a shame he had to retire early due to injury.

if he did retire, he has come out as he played for yeovil sometime this season