Gavin Bazunu G Standard Liege (loan from Southampton) b.2002

[John83]

How on earth has this post not had more “thanks”. First bit of common sense on Bazunu in (p)ages. He’s an incredible prospect and is already solid enough to be arguably holding his own in a high pressure environment - for Southampton and for a 20 year old keeper.
It's true. I would be happier if he were playing like this in a team that seemed likely to stay up. My main concern is that he's likely to get relegated and spend next season in the Championship. That's not the end of the world, nor is it the only possibility, but it'd be a step back in his trajectory. I don't really care where he's playing though, so long as he's playing he'll be learning.

[Stuttgart88]

How on earth has this post not had more “thanks”. Maybe because it was posted at 8.40pm on a Friday night? Even us old gits have better things to be doing on a Friday :)

[Razors left peg]

Maybe because it was posted at 8.40pm on a Friday night? Even us old gits have better things to be doing on a Friday :)

I'm my defense it was only 12.40 in afternoon here ;)

[SkStu]

I'm my defense it was only 12.40 in afternoon here ;)

Almost 3 days since it was posted and Stutts still hasn't issued any thanks for it. That's the main thing to take away in all this. :D ;)

[Razors left peg]

Almost 3 days since it was posted and Stutts still hasn't issued any thanks for it. That's the main thing to take away in all this. :D ;)


Haha I'll have a stern word with him

[Stuttgart88]

Almost 3 days since it was posted and Stutts still hasn't issued any thanks for it. That's the main thing to take away in all this. :D ;)

I like to give an impression that my “thanks” are independently considered, not given in response to recommendations.

Anyway, big win for Southampton. Gavin had no chance with the goal but got a way with a flap at a cross that I think better footwork would have seen him deal with better.

And just as I say Ramsdale hasn’t been as good as he was last season he plays brilliantly at Spurs.

[pineapple stu]

Dropped for the FA Cup tie against Blackpool today; the 41-year-old Caballero started instead.

Hard to know what to make of that because changes are common in the Cup. He played the previous round, but then Caballero is hardly a medium-term option they want to try out. Or he may have had a knock and with McCarthy out, they had no options but to start Caballero and put Bazunu on the bench

Next league game might reveal more

[Razors left peg]

No more dropped than when Allison is "dropped" for Liverpools cup games

[pineapple stu]

Well Alisson's place in the first team isn't in question in fairness. But it could well turn out to be just changing things around for them Cup

Southampton fans on their forum reckon Caballero was in general more composed, and pulled off one big save when needed.

[Razors left peg]

Bazunus place in the team isn't in question either. He had a run of a few games where he made some mistakes but in recent weeks he had got back on track.

Only story here is that a 20 year old player gets a break

[pineapple stu]

I think that may be wishful thinking unfortunately

People were saying Travers wasn't at fault for any of them 9 against Liverpool, but Bournemouth thought differently.

Bazunu's stats are at Travers' level.

Not saying you're wrong, but I certainly don't share your confidence

[third policeman]

Bazunus place in the team isn't in question either. He had a run of a few games where he made some mistakes but in recent weeks he had got back on track.

Only story here is that a 20 year old player gets a break

Hopefully.

[Razors left peg]

You've never shared anyone's confidence in Bazunu from when he was brought in to Ireland squad.

[SkStu]

No more dropped than when Allison is "dropped" for Liverpools cup games

Absolutely this. For gods sake.

[Razors left peg]

Bazunu back in the team tonight for the EFL Cup semi final after supposedly being dropped for the the much less important FA Cup game at the weekend.

[joey B]

Getting stick on Twitter from Southampton fans for the goal but extremely harsh in my view….

[Razors left peg]

Getting stick on Twitter from Southampton fans for the goal but extremely harsh in my view….

That goal was absolutely not his fault. The defending was abysmal

[joey B]

Armstrong and the CB were terrible for it….

[JR89]

Keeper will nearly always get stick especially if it's a keeper under pressure.

[Eirambler]

Just gets no protection at all from outfield. Tonight is just damage limitation from here.

[pineapple stu]

Bazunu back in the team tonight for the EFL Cup semi final after supposedly being dropped for the the much less important FA Cup game at the weekend.
Must have missed him playing in it so...

I think I was fairly clear there could have been a number of reasons behind it and was just posting it for news, but I think we can also be fairly clear that he isn't safe and secure in his position at the moment either.

[Razors left peg]

Must have missed him playing in it so...

I think I was fairly clear there could have been a number of reasons behind it and was just posting it for news, but I think we can also be fairly clear that he isn't safe and secure in his position at the moment either.

Dude, you said he was dropped

[Asterix]

There were about 7 other changes made for the blackpool game, i think most people would have said they were prioritizing tonights game.

[pineapple stu]

Dude, you said he was dropped
Yup. And I don't think he played, no?

[Razors left peg]

Yup. And I don't think he played, no?

No, but you told me it maybe wishful thinking when I said that he was no more dropped than Allison was for other cup games.

Not gonna keep going over and back on it but I just find your opinion on Bazunu from day one when he came into the Ireland squad a bit odd.

[Asterix]

Had a decent game, very good double save in the second half.

[Stuttgart88]

I thought he "might" have saved the first. Certainly not at fault but a missed opportunity for a great save.

I think if you look closely enough you'll see the second goal took a slight deflection on way in, I think he'd have saved it otherwise. The shot looked really clean but was going into the very middle of the goal before a slight nick took it wide of him.

Very good double save, as Asterix noted, and some very accurate long passes. One flap at a corner and one where I think he did well to get a fist on it even if the punch was a bit unconvincing. Each time he had a lot of bodies to come through.

[pineapple stu]

I thought he "might" have saved the first. Certainly not at faulty but a missed opportunity for a great save.
Interesting you say that - one of the main criticisms on the Southampton forum is similar. "Other keepers sometimes pull off great saves, this bloke never does. I honestly can’t recall ever thinking “he did well to save that” (https://www.saintsweb.co.uk/topic/59401-gavin-bazunu/page/15/)", for example. It kind of ties in with the xG stats I think.

And it has to be noted their forum has to be taken with a bit of salt - lot of unhelpful general ranting given they're bottom of the table - and the defence gets its fair share of stick too. But thought the similarity in view with Southampton fans was worth flagging.

[Stuttgart88]

Interesting you say that - one of the main criticisms on the Southampton forum is similar. "Other keepers sometimes pull off great saves, this bloke never does. I honestly can’t recall ever thinking “he did well to save that” (https://www.saintsweb.co.uk/topic/59401-gavin-bazunu/page/15/)", for example. It kind of ties in with the xG stats I think.

And it has to be noted their forum has to be taken with a bit of salt - lot of unhelpful general ranting given they're bottom of the table - and the defence gets its fair share of stick too. But thought the similarity in view with Southampton fans was worth flagging.I think so far this season the first bit is fair.

As for the defence, the first 20 mins was unbelievably bad. They gave up 3 clear shooting opportunities from 12 yards or so. Two goals, one pulled wide. It was actually a miracle that Southampton made a game of it at all.

[ifk101]

He got down quick enough to get a touch on the shot for the first goal. If you can get a touch, it is “saveable”. That said, if he kept it out, it’s a save of the season contender. And he does make good saves – he won save of the month in the PL for November.

You can always wish more, for example his xG stats are apparently poor (don’t know how this compares with goalies at the bottom of the PL in previous seasons?), but I think he is doing fine from what I see. And it is noteworthy that Southampton were relatively active in the transfer window and chose not to sign a goalie.

[Diggs246]

Interesting you say that - one of the main criticisms on the Southampton forum is similar. "Other keepers sometimes pull off great saves, this bloke never does. I honestly can’t recall ever thinking “he did well to save that” (https://www.saintsweb.co.uk/topic/59401-gavin-bazunu/page/15/)", for example. It kind of ties in with the xG stats I think.

And it has to be noted their forum has to be taken with a bit of salt - lot of unhelpful general ranting given they're bottom of the table - and the defence gets its fair share of stick too. But thought the similarity in view with Southampton fans was worth flagging.

His save against the mighty Luxembourg away game
Was one of the greatest saves ive ever seen.

[Diggs246]

This one

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.balls.ie/amp/football/camera-angle-remarkable-gavin-bazunu-save-491490#cobssid=s

[Diggs246]

Arguably saved Kenny's job

[Stuttgart88]

His save against the mighty Luxembourg away game
Was one of the greatest saves ive ever seen.

Probably the best I've seen from an Ireland goalkeeper in an Ireland game. Not in overall context (Bonner in Stuttgart, Genoa...) but qualitatively. His save from Mitrovic's header in Dublin was right up there too.

[paul_oshea]

Dude, you said he was dropped

'Murica!

"kind of ties in with the xG stats I think" -- I'm definitely not one to run to stats to feel the need to re-enforce my opinion but in footballing terms they are probably most apt for a GK. At the end of the day its goals and saves. Passing and distribution nice to haves, but if the first doesnt come no point in having the second.

On Bazunu PS does seem a little more negative about him than other players who I believe would be as deserving of the same attention but that said I have a niggling feeling about him. I think he can deceive with the odd brilliant piece of GK but its masking an ordinality behind it all.

[Razors left peg]

'Murica!



Mucksavage!

[paul_oshea]

Mucksavage!

I'd never say something like that though. I'd never over indulge in colloquialisms. Far too sophisticated for any of that commonality, low grade behaviour.

[Razors left peg]

I think the biggest thing I take from Bazunu this season is that his learning curve is just highlighted more than most other keepers due to playing playing at such a high level so young. Any keeper learning their trade will make mistakes and take time to adjust to senior football but when you are learning in the most watched league in the world and happen to be playing on a crap team where you get no coverage from your defenders, there are times where questions will be asked by fans looking for a scapegoat.

I seem to remember a couple of times when he was on loan at Portsmouth where the fans were on his back a bit but they loved him before he left. For the most part he has been good but not spectacular, even if he did win save of the month as someone mentioned above.

I keep saying it, hes 20! Personally I think hes doing amazingly well for a fella that age

[ontheotherhand]

Interesting you say that - one of the main criticisms on the Southampton forum is similar. "Other keepers sometimes pull off great saves, this bloke never does. I honestly can’t recall ever thinking “he did well to save that” (https://www.saintsweb.co.uk/topic/59401-gavin-bazunu/page/15/)", for example. It kind of ties in with the xG stats I think.

And it has to be noted their forum has to be taken with a bit of salt - lot of unhelpful general ranting given they're bottom of the table - and the defence gets its fair share of stick too. But thought the similarity in view with Southampton fans was worth flagging.


We know he can make the spectacular saves though. I think he's just been a bit shook this season. As I said earlier it must be difficult to get set when chances are being coughed up that shouldn't be. Hopefully he can settle, get his confidence back and then the big saves will come. He has plenty of highlight reels but is probably so focused on the basics that he isn't hitting the highest levels he can.

[pineapple stu]

We know he can make the spectacular saves though.
Not often enough though, it seems. Look at the Armenia game for example. Two goals he (and others, to be clear) should have done better for. That's what counts ultimately.

I also remember talking to Niall Corbet about UCD's Euro games and he said he really enjoyed the game in Luxemburg in particular; he had nothing to lose from facing so many shots. I used to enjoy games like that too (to a certain extent!). Everyone will be different of course, but I don't think it's set in stone that playing behind a dodgy defence automatically hits morale/form.

You've spoken about how he may take 4/5 years to reach his peak and that could well be the case (though I'd hope it'd be sooner). I just look at France being next month though and wonder if he's the best option right now.

Kelleher's situation isn't ideal either - I've said before I admire Bazunu for the bravery to leave City - but I'd feel happier with Kelleher in nets for the moment tbh. And I don't think a change of keeper will make a massive difference against France of course.

[Razors left peg]

Not often enough though, it seems. Look at the Armenia game for example. Two goals he (and others, to be clear) should have done better for. That's what counts ultimately.

I also remember talking to Niall Corbet about UCD's Euro games and he said he really enjoyed the game in Luxemburg in particular; he had nothing to lose from facing so many shots. I used to enjoy games like that too (to a certain extent!). Everyone will be different of course, but I don't think it's set in stone that playing behind a dodgy defence automatically hits morale/form.

You've spoken about how he may take 4/5 years to reach his peak and that could well be the case (though I'd hope it'd be sooner). I just look at France being next month though and wonder if he's the best option right now.

Kelleher's situation isn't ideal either - I've said before I admire Bazunu for the bravery to leave City - but I'd feel happier with Kelleher in nets for the moment tbh. And I don't think a change of keeper will make a massive difference against France of course.

What can you point to that you think makes Kelleher a better option? It cant be anything hes done over a run of games because hes never done that. And even in the little amount of game time we've seen I have also thought Kelleher could have done better for some goals conceeded.

If its just a gut feeling then fair enough, we are all entitled to opinions. I just like my players to play actual games so we know if they are actually good or not. When Kelleher has actually played the odd one off game he was behind a Liverpool team that was fairly dominant, Id like to see him over 20 consecutive games to see how he handles the ups and downs of that. He cant build a career on just being a penalty shootout hero.

If Kelleher is playing week in week out next season then I think we could have real competition for the goalkeeping spot, and I genuinely hope he does get a move. Its better for Irish football if they are both playing well, but right now one is playing and one is not so its a simple enough decision for me.

[ontheotherhand]

Not often enough though, it seems. Look at the Armenia game for example. Two goals he (and others, to be clear) should have done better for. That's what counts ultimately.

I also remember talking to Niall Corbet about UCD's Euro games and he said he really enjoyed the game in Luxemburg in particular; he had nothing to lose from facing so many shots. I used to enjoy games like that too (to a certain extent!). Everyone will be different of course, but I don't think it's set in stone that playing behind a dodgy defence automatically hits morale/form.

You've spoken about how he may take 4/5 years to reach his peak and that could well be the case (though I'd hope it'd be sooner). I just look at France being next month though and wonder if he's the best option right now.

Kelleher's situation isn't ideal either - I've said before I admire Bazunu for the bravery to leave City - but I'd feel happier with Kelleher in nets for the moment tbh. And I don't think a change of keeper will make a massive difference against France of course.

He wasn't Portsmouth's player of the season for no reason though. That was based off being reliable and making fantastic saves.

I'd actually agree though on who to play against France in the not-friendly.....It's ok to pick players based on form, particularly when they are so close.

[pineapple stu]

He wasn't Portsmouth's player of the season for no reason though.
Nope, but I think over the past couple of years we (as in, everyone here) has been in rough agreement that L1 isn't a level we want our players at. It's a huge step up.


What can you point to that you think makes Kelleher a better option? It cant be anything hes done over a run of games because hes never done that. And even in the little amount of game time we've seen I have also thought Kelleher could have done better for some goals conceeded.

If its just a gut feeling then fair enough, we are all entitled to opinions.
Yeah, just gut feeling really. And general assuredness when called on by Ireland. I can't recall too many lapses in concentration, but Bazunu has had plenty. Got away with some (especially in early games), redeemed himself on others (the peno in Portugal the obvious one), cost us goals elsewhere (Armenia at home)

I absolutely agree about playing games. We're not yet at the promised land in terms of keepers. Though I don't agree it's as simple as one keeper is playing and one's not, otherwise we'd have James Talbot in the squad over Kelleher.

[Razors left peg]

What I meant is that when we have 2 of similar levels Id go with the one playing. I think for example that Kelleher is better than Travers so I'd pick Kelleher regardless of the playing situation

[Stuttgart88]

I can't recall too many lapses in concentration, but Bazunu has had plenty. Got away with some (especially in early games), redeemed himself on others (the peno in Portugal the obvious one), cost us goals elsewhere (Armenia at home)Inswinging free kick vs Belgium that went straight into the middle of Kelleher's goal. Awful starting position for Batshuayi's goal and slow to react. Both soft goals. Nothing to do in the other home games he played really. Did well v Ukraine away.

[Diggs246]

Inswinging free kick vs Belgium that went straight into the middle of Kelleher's goal. Awful starting position for Batshuayi's goal and slow to react. Both soft goals. Nothing to do in the other home games he played really. Did well v Ukraine away.

The belgain goal (Batshuayi) was colemans fault if anyones

[pineapple stu]

Inswinging free kick vs Belgium that went straight into the middle of Kelleher's goal. Awful starting position for Batshuayi's goal and slow to react. Both soft goals. Nothing to do in the other home games he played really. Did well v Ukraine away.
I'm not sure if they're lapses in concentration as such. I'm thinking of the likes of Bazunu dropping the corner v Azerbaijan, dropping a simple shot onto the post in Portugal, playing a hospital pass to Hendrick in the same game (you can argue the toss as to whether it was a penalty, but it was an awful pass), coming flying to the edge of his box against Luxembourg and Qatar. The two goals against Armenia were softer goals than Kelleher's conceded, with poor footwork for the first one in particular.

Also agree with Diggs that Coleman was the main culprit for the Belgium goal. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up at a great finish, even if his starting position did appear a bit relaxed (although that seems his style too). I remember a lot of people at the time saying that Bazunu would have saved it, but the season to date suggests that may be a bit of bias rather than anything based in solid fact.


What I meant is that when we have 2 of similar levels Id go with the one playing. I think for example that Kelleher is better than Travers so I'd pick Kelleher regardless of the playing situation
Yeah, it's certainly a valid view and I'm not going argue it's daft or anything like that. For me, I just think the stats/form this season are concerning.

And taken as read of course that he's young and upwardly mobile and Kelleher really does need a move for us to see how good he really is.

[Stuttgart88]

The belgain goal (Batshuayi) was colemans fault if anyonesUltimately maybe but we're commenting purely on the goalkeeping here and it was poor, even if what happened beforehand was poor too. There's a still photo that did the rounds and his positioning was poor and with the ball already on its way he hadn't even shifted his weight to his left.

I said myself a few weeks ago I'd tend to go for Kelleher right now. I think Bazunu has stabilised his club form since but it's still very close. But watching Bazunu at Newcastle, under pressure from dangerous crosses and doing OK, but no better, did make me think we haven't yet seen Kelleher face anything similar. That's the real concern. We now know Bazunu's current level. We're still only guessing at Kelleher's.

[ifk101]

Inswinging free kick vs Belgium that went straight into the middle of Kelleher's goal. Awful starting position for Batshuayi's goal and slow to react. Both soft goals. Nothing to do in the other home games he played really. Did well v Ukraine away.

Maybe the goal away to Armenia as well? Sure, clean strike and our outfield players should be getting closer but the shot was telegraphed, from 30 yards out, and Kelleher could see it the whole way.

On the starting position and slowness to react comment, there is a tendency to be flat-footed + stuck to his goal line. Evident from his U21 days.

Additionally, I think Kelleher does have weakness on balls across his body, and the lack of match time is a concern. (and we don't know how he would deal with sustained pressure as you mention - (bar those early Liverpool games)). Bazunu faces this week in, week out.

But goalkeeper isn't a position of concern for me. I'm comfortable with either Bazunu and Kelleher, but preference is Bazunu.

[Asterix]

The goal kelleher conceeded against ukraine at home was softer than anything bazunu has conceeded for Ireland. It would probably get mentioned everyday on here if Bazunu conceeded it.