Keeper & Defence

[GoldWithFalmer]

Only my opinion

It is interesting that Leeds let him go but I have watched Ankergren on numerous occasions this season, and he has not filled me with confidence.

His taking of crosses is definitely suspect as indeed, I have to say, is his catching as in many instances he just seems to parry the ball and takes it at a second attempt. I don’t dispute for one moment that ( as one would expect of a GK ) he has made a number of vital stops but he has certainly also missed a few that I would have expected he would have taken.

The most worrying aspect for me is the time wasting dribbling thing which often ends in near disaster as he leaves himself either with precious little time to clear the ball ( clearances are not brilliant ) OR delivers (what would be in rugby parlance) a hospital pass where our defender is left to cope with both a ball coming slowly towards him AND an opposing attacker approaching at high speed.

That sort of thing will be taken apart in the Championship so we will need better and that is why we would be best served by signing a new No 1.

I agree with a lot of that but sometimes we can all miss judge things-think he will be adequate for the championship whilst not setting the world alight-a calm influence able to fit into our at times risky play at the back.we will see i suppose

 

[severnside gull]

Poke looked nervous in pre-season last year and his confidence was further damaged when Ankergren was signed. He needed a couple of good games but unfortunately when he got to play at Northampton he encountered Andy Whing doing his best to cause mayhem in his own defence and a freak missed kick in front of him that resulted in the embarrassment of a soft goal conceded. Given another opportunity I suspect he will do as well next time as he did badly last time and depending how pre-season goes he might just get the number two slot to start.

 

[darters74]

Away at Northampton in League Cup, Poke was shit.

Away at Stoke in FA Cup, Brezovan was shit.

Whilst I think Brez has something about him, he is far to error prone imho.

Casper is relatively solid but still not entirely convinced in many aspects of his game. We don't have a brilliant number 1. We have a fairly solid number 1, a potentially excellent but also error prone number 2 and a shit number 3.

I thought we may go for Steve Simonsen at Sheff United, either way we could do with a new top keeper. I don't think ours are strong enough for an assault at a top 2 finish?? Hope to be proved wrong though

Brez is shocking at dealing with crosses, he never knows when to come off his line. Simonsen is a great shout, has always been a quality keeper and wasted his career. But as others have said, GP don't want a keeper.......

 

[HastingsSeagull]

Feel Ankergren is not up to Championship really. Could do a job as is an experienced head but don't think he'd make more than a couple at most, of the Championships starting 11s and even many club's bench. Very weak at crosses and don't get why he's such a great fit for system. He can understand it etc. sure, but don't see why many other keepers couldn't get used to it too.

Poke was great at Torquay and I think deserved being kept on as a back-up. Brez I'd ditch as great back-up in L1 or even OK starter but don't see he's any better than poke who's far more likely to improve. At Champ level I see Poke developing into a career back-up but no more (still better than brez then) but feel we want one great player to replace Ankergren during this season.

 

[Arkwright]

Right back now. So reading between the lines we need a second choice keeper. No one has even mentioned a Centre Half. Why the obsession with strikers and midfielders?

Doesn't attack start with defence?

By the why the strawberry cider was fantastic.

 

[severnside gull]

I mentioned a centre back but I don't have a name to suggest. Didn't see anyone on the premiership clubs' released list and a young reserve like Rohan Ince at Chelsea doesn't have much in the way of game experience so I'm guessing we may have to look overseas.

The whole "conversation" about goalkeepers is pointless - we don't need anyone and won't be looking for anyone.

 

[sydney]

Spurs have signed Brad Friedel to compete with Gomez for the No 1 spot so would suggest that if Gus thinks we need a keeper on loan at some point he will ask about Cudicini.

Cudicini is class but sure he's on top wadd.

 

[bhaexpress]

We should go after Speroni, can't help feel that the rodents will soon consider their situation visa ve a ship in distress. Actually we're looking at several defenders so that is not being overlooked. I think Casper will be more than good enough in the Championship.

 

[Gwylan]

Right back now. So reading between the lines we need a second choice keeper.

But we don't,we have one and a third choice. Why does anyone think we need four keepers on our books? How often would a fourth one play?

 

[Finchley Seagull]

Right back now. So reading between the lines we need a second choice keeper. No one has even mentioned a Centre Half. Why the obsession with strikers and midfielders?

Doesn't attack start with defence?

By the why the strawberry cider was fantastic.

There is no need to read between any lines. Gus has said we won't be signing another keeper as we already have three that he obviously thinks are good enough. Who are you or I to argue with him on that.

As for defence, he has already stated that he wants to sign 6 more players including a centre half and full back so there is no need to worry. I trust Gus to get the right signings as he did at centre half last year with Greer.

 

[kingcole]

We do not need a keeper. Ankergren may have his critics, but he understands the 'gus way' perfectly. PB is a great keeper for the bench. Poke is also rated by Gus.

We do need one amazing centre back - and I hope this will come, and I might also expect a loan signing til Xmas to ensure both Elphic and El Ab have time to recover from their current injurys.

 

[severnside gull]

Gus was quoted as saying that he wasn't looking for a centre back until it became clear that neither elAbd or Elphick would be fit for the start of the season. I have to admit that surprises me but that appears to be Gus' view and as everyone says - who are we to argue with the great man?

One possible target that occurred to me is Jean-Yves Mvoto, just released by Sunderland and has been on loan in league 1 with Oldham. When we played them up there he was coming back from injury and played as a sub but looked very powerful and mobile for a big man. Plays centre back or fullback and can also cover in midfield. Lacks any experience at a higher level is the downside but young enough to learn and good enough to potentially compete in a number of positions. Might be worth a punt for 12 months?

 

[BensGrandad]

Gus was quoted as saying that he wasn't looking for a centre back until it became clear that neither elAbd or Elphick would be fit for the start of the season. /QUOTE]

That would suggest that he is going to go into the loan market during early August probably once the Premier League sides have announced their 25 man squad. Would it be too much to go after Mancienne of Chelsea who was on loan to Wolves. I noticed that Leeds are talking to Jonathan Woodgate as he has rejected a pay as you play deal and been released by Spurs, also Sol Campbell is available, possible short term contract?

 

[Finchley Seagull]

Gus was quoted as saying that he wasn't looking for a centre back until it became clear that neither elAbd or Elphick would be fit for the start of the season. /QUOTE]

That would suggest that he is going to go into the loan market during early August probably once the Premier League sides have announced their 25 man squad. Would it be too much to go after Mancienne of Chelsea who was on loan to Wolves. I noticed that Leeds are talking to Jonathan Woodgate as he has rejected a pay as you play deal and been released by Spurs, also Sol Campbell is available, possible short term contract?

I am not sure whether he wants a loan or permanent player but we won't be signing Mancienne as he has signed for a German club already. Also, he is England under 21 captain so slightly out of our league.

I think Gus wants to have all his players in as soon as possible so they can play a full pre season with us. He was quoted in yesterday's Argus saying as well as LuaLua there should be a couple more players coming in before pre season starts and others early in pre season. My guess is they would like to take a full squad to Portugal, if possible. This would seem to lessen the chance of a loanee as clubs are often loathe to loan out their players until they have made their own signings and we don't want to wait until the end of August e.g. LuaLua last year.

As for priorities, so far all we have done is sign two players to replace players who have gone. My priority at the moment would be a Championship quality striker personally and these are the most talked about positions hence us being linked with attacking players. He may also want to assess Adam El Abd in pre season as there was talk of him coming back from his injury towards the end of pre season. This might affect his decision.

 

[severnside gull]

Maybe a loanee but not Mancienne who will be playing at a higher level again next season.

Experienced centre backs with the ball playing qualities we will be seeking are pretty rarely available for loan because they will usually be at least on the bench for their own club. Someone like Joel Lynch might fit the bill of course (although he hasn't played centre back since leaving here) but generally you will end up looking at a reserve like Rohan Ince at Chelsea who is seriously good but has no league experience so is as big a risk in his way as Lewis Dunk when it comes to the emergency cover we need.

 

[BensGrandad]

Severnside gull you avoided my suggestion of possibly Sol Campbell on a 3 or 6 month contract was that deliberate as you do not think it a viable proposition.

Very experienced was a good ball playing defender either central or full back but is a little slow now.

Could he come in and do for us what Simon Morgan did for a season under MA?

 

[Finchley Seagull]

Severnside gull you avoided my suggestion of possibly Sol Campbell on a 3 or 6 month contract was that deliberate as you do not think it a viable proposition.

Very experienced was a good ball playing defender either central or full back but is a little slow now.

Could he come in and do for us what Simon Morgan did for a season under MA?

Sol Campbell would be a huge risk given what has happened over the last couple of years. I also think he is not Gus' sort of players and we need somebody who is a bit more mobile at the back. I think Gus will go for a permanent signing either a player from the lower leagues with potential or an out of favour top flight centre half and he will choose carefully to make sure they fit our style.

 

[severnside gull]

Sorry BG. Yes I think Campbell is probably too slow. I saw bits of his cameo performances for Toon last season and the game seemed to be passing him by, plus from the snippets you hear, he may not be the influence you want in the changing room in that our club revolves around Gus and not one of the players.
Maybe if he has topped up his pension fund enough he might now retire gracefully?

 

[BensGrandad]

I would like to see another Simon Morgan come ina do a similar job but cant thinkl of one off of the top of my head.

Another one trying for a comeback is Calum Davenport.

 

[Samej]

How many goalies do we need? We have three in the first team squad, not to mention the development players. I'm sure that a goalie is the last thing on Gus's shopping list

This