To be fair to Kuipers & Smith...

[Trigger]

...They've largely had nothing that resembles a back four between them and the midfield all season!

The new manager must seriously invest in some central defenders come Januray!

 

[Superphil]

I think the manager just needs to invest some time and impart some expertise and experience to the defenders we have.

 

[lighthouse]

Feel a bit sorry for Smith. He must be desparate to establish himself with a few clean sheets, but just like last week, the defence leaves opposition players with time and space around the 6 yard box/penelty spot. He didn't stand a chance with any of the goals again today.

 

[Mr Burns]

I cannot believe people were texting during the commentary that Smith has to go, just because we coneded goals again today.

There are some funny people out there, who have no idea about the game.

I think Schmichael at his peak wouldn't have stopped any of them today.

I feel for Smith, because he's got no chance in some peoples eyes. The sooner we can ship Kuipers out, and remove this chain from around the other keepers neck, the better

 

[GT49er]

But playing behind our defence, Smith consistantly lets in mre than twice as many goals per game as an out of form Kuipers. Back to Jockoland in January. please.

 

[Freddie Goodwin.]

It's not just about shot stopping. A good keeper has to control & instruct his defence. he's the only one with all the play infront of him and needs to be vocal.

If the defence don't know what the keeper is doing, or lack confidence in him, they they will drop back and then they effectivly get in eachothers way. So many goals are being scored by oposition players deep in our box where we have many players & keeper and the indecision of who does what.

Peter Grummit was the best Albion keeper I've seen and he rarely had a shot to save because he marshalled his defence so well.

 

[withdeanwombat]

Okay,a totally unbiassed view,because I'd just like too see more clean sheets .As far as I could see - and it was only on the telly - Smith was only in a decent position for the penalty,and strikes me as a "stick your hand out and run across the goal line " keeper,and is not up to snuff. Reading the board I see many no longer like Kuipers either because his distribution is poor,or he makes some gaffes during the season,or they are jealous of his life style or he is fat and ugly ,and,well,foreign.

We've spent multi thousands on outfield players,some of whom have not justified their fees,and we borrow players willy nilly in a sort of rob peter to pay paul sort of way.

So why not splash out on a unification candidate for our gk position?

Message ends.