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

[ifk101]

I think that comes back to a tendency to stick on his goal line and to let the defence deal with those types of balls. Maybe his reaction to the disallowed goal, the lob, in that game. Too relaxed, didn't set himself, caught flat footed and couldn’t get off his feet to jump.

[seanfhear]

Surely even Liverpool will want Kelleher playing many games somewhere next season if they don't sell him ?

And if they thought he was that good ~ would they sell him ? ~ well without a buy back clause anyway ?

[ifk101]

A win-win for both Liverpool and Kelleher if he went out on loan. Just seems illogical not to do this, more so when they are not giving him the FA cup games. Improvement comes from playing. Bazunu must be close to playing as many minutes for Southampton as Kelleher has played in senior football.

[Eirambler]

At club level Bazunu has played 2250 minutes of senior football this season.

Including an appearance for Liverpool Under 21s in the EFL trophy, which is counted as a senior game, Kelleher has played 1920 minutes of senior club football in his career.

[Jd2793]

A win-win for both Liverpool and Kelleher if he went out on loan. Just seems illogical not to do this, more so when they are not giving him the FA cup games. Improvement comes from playing. Bazunu must be close to playing as many minutes for Southampton as Kelleher has played in senior football.

its not a win win though. liverpool will need to buy a replacement as they clearly dont trust adrian. a sale is in both parties interests in the summer.

[elatedscum]

Saw the highlights on MOTD. Conceded another 3 today. None of the goals were his fault. Could easily have conceded 5 - one hit the post from an open goal where Bazunu sold himself a bit easy and another where a defender cleared it off the line with Bazunu beaten.

I remember in his first year as a senior international, he’d make a few ridiculous saves a game, just really really good reactive stuff - and I feel like those saves that made him a really good keeper aren’t happening. The final goal was a little like that, you wouldn’t expect him to save it, it wasn’t his fault that he didn’t… but if he was in good form and confident, he might have pulled off a cracker

I’d definitely start Kelleher in March.

[tommy_c12000]

The devil you know is better than the devil Ui don’t know.

I’ve been very worried about Bazunu’s decision making and ability to deal with crosses over the past few weeks, in addition to him leaving in some very easy shots which were basic saves. I just don’t know Caoimhin, great on the ball and in the right place at the right time in a couple of dead rubber champions league game, but a few soft goals v villa in the league cup and one soft goal with Ireland, in addition to playing minimal senior football over the past 4 years. It seems just as risky playing an untested and inexperienced keeper with no game time this season Vs Bazunu. Klopp didn’t even start Kelleher in the FA Cup, how good does he truly think Caoimhin can become?

[elatedscum]

The devil you know is better than the devil Ui don’t know.

I’ve been very worried about Bazunu’s decision making and ability to deal with crosses over the past few weeks, in addition to him leaving in some very easy shots which were basic saves. I just don’t know Caoimhin, great on the ball and in the right place at the right time in a couple of dead rubber champions league game, but a few soft goals v villa in the league cup and one soft goal with Ireland, in addition to playing minimal senior football over the past 4 years. It seems just as risky playing an untested and inexperienced keeper with no game time this season Vs Bazunu. Klopp didn’t even start Kelleher in the FA Cup, how good does he truly think Caoimhin can become?

the villa game you're referring to was in 2019, with a group of kids in front of him, basically an u23s game. he's played 2 games in 2023 and was very good in both. played very well against man city and kept a clean sheet against wolves. you just have to watch him when he plays to see how good he is. from an irish perspective, he's conceded 5 goals in 9 games. bazunu has conceded 13 goals in 13 games. pretty small sample size but still...

if you asked me in 6 months i might give you a different answer but right now, Kelleher would definitely start for me. i feel like in general, i'd expect them both to give us 8/10 performances, but right now bazunu is performing 6 or 7/10, so it's an easy decision for me

[seanfhear]

I doubt if Bazunu would be too impressed if a fella that is hardly playing was picked before him. I wouldn't blame Bazunu for that either.

You don't make many mistakes if you are not playing ! ~ ~ Sort of the Eamoon Dunphy philosophy about his latest non playing messiah.

[paul_oshea]

I remember in his first year as a senior international, he’d make a few ridiculous saves a game, just really really good reactive stuff - and I feel like those saves that made him a really good keeper aren’t happening. The final goal was a little like that, you wouldn’t expect him to save it, it wasn’t his fault that he didn’t… but if he was in good form and confident, he might have pulled off a cracker



Agree with this, flatters to deceive. I still think we are well off knowing our best keepers, but at least for now he's not doing anything glaringly wrong for us I mean. I'd be more confident with him than I ever was with David Forde.

[pineapple stu]

I doubt if Bazunu would be too impressed if a fella that is hardly playing was picked before him. I wouldn't blame Bazunu for that either
He probably should stop conceding so many goals so. The xG stats are a real concern. I think in fairness though he'd understand if Kelleher started in March tbh.

I wonder if he could have come for either of the crosses Brentford scored from? The second more so than the first I think. Tough call as they weren't from far out enough to comfortably read the flight of the ball, but even a punch on either and the header doesn't come in. He seems to flap at a cross or two a game and I wonder if that stops him committing for more crosses?

Whoscored rated him 5.52 for the game, and strangely Southampton's two centre-backs both got 7+ (strangely because they've generally been crap all season) Not sure why the low score but maybe it's as simple as he conceded three goals from four shots and didn't really pull off any good saves, etc, to warrant a higher score

[SkStu]

Not getting into the "who is better" argument but wouldn't it be a touch hypocritical for Kenny to bench Bazunu (still starter for a Premier League side and playing ok) for Kelleher who cant buy a game and as such we have no real body of evidence when he dropped McGrath and others from the squads for not having any game time?

[ifk101]

I wonder if he could have come for either of the crosses Brentford scored from?

No. Good decision making not to come for those balls. First cross the Brentford player wanted it more, second cross was slack defending to give a free header.
Just for balance, the local newspaper says the following


Gavin Bazunu - Rounded by Yoane Wissa inside the first ten minutes but was relieved to see the forward hit the crossbar. Did well to claim the ball after a flick on from a long throw while Christian Norgaard closed him down. Could do little for the goals conceded as Brentford players were allowed time and space to pick out their spots. 6
https://www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/football-news/southampton-brentford-sulemana-onuachu-ratings-8112703


I think he did fine but it’s three goals against. Southampton’s manager post-match comments are telling, all a bit of a shambles really.


Not getting into the "who is better" argument but wouldn't it be a touch hypocritical for Kenny to bench Bazunu (still starter for a Premier League side and playing ok) for Kelleher who cant buy a game and as such we have no real body of evidence when he dropped McGrath and others from the squads for not having any game time?

Maybe Max O’Leary can be brought into the Bazunu or Kelleher conversation? But he had a blunder at the weekend.

[Stuttgart88]

I wonder if he could have come for either of the crosses Brentford scored from? The second more so than the first I think. Tough call as they weren't from far out enough to comfortably read the flight of the ball, but even a punch on either and the header doesn't come in. He seems to flap at a cross or two a game and I wonder if that stops him committing for more crosses?I actually think you're losing it a bit now tbh. Zero chance any of those crosses were for a goalkeeper to claim.

And though I see elatedscum's point about the third goal, it went in off the post. It literally couldn't have been any wider from him while still being a goal. I think the point would have been more valid for Newcastle's first goal the other night.

My concern is simply that conceding goals becomes a habit. Right now I'd probably prefer a keeper not playing much than a keeper conceding regularly even if generally not his fault. And Kelleher looks more ready for big boy football right now. I think Bazunu still looks like a boy finding his way out there. But let's not go looking for mistakes he didn't even make or obscure ratings sites.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Bazunu has one of the greatest managers in Europe, if not the world in charge at Southampton. I'm sure he can sort their defence out but if Southampton outrageously sack him, you have to hope the next manager tightens things up at the back. He's more comfortable with Egan, Collins and O'Shea in front of him.

[pineapple stu]

wouldn't it be a touch hypocritical for Kenny to bench Bazunu (still starter for a Premier League side and playing ok) for Kelleher who cant buy a game and as such we have no real body of evidence when he dropped McGrath and others from the squads for not having any game time?
I don't think so. McGrath wasn't getting his game at Wigan in the English third tier (and I'm not sure was he injured for some of that time). Kelleher is back-up keeper at one of the biggest clubs in the world (well, if you exclude this season's shambles of course). Keepers by their nature are either going to start or not; an outfield player not getting any game time at all is a bigger worry I would have thought (and I've . And we had other options to replace McGrath anyway, who was always a fringe squad player for us really.


I actually think you're losing it a bit now tbh. Zero chance any of those crosses were for a goalkeeper to claim.
No need to personalise things Stutts. I'm inclined to agree with you alright but I'm throwing out the suggestion for debate. I only pick the whoscored site as it has player ratings together in one place (and with what seems a more big data angle, which is the way the game is going)- I don't know how obscure it is or indeed how relevant that is to what it's saying. It seems consistent enough with other stats sites in saying Bazunu is having a poor season for a poor side. But I suppose easier to dismiss the source than engage in the debate?

[Stuttgart88]

Apologies. I do engage in the debate but think it goes far beyond rational debate at times and I think the comment above was an example of it, and not for the first time either.

I honestly think the reason I'm more nervous about Bazunu starting for Ireland these days is because of the discussion on this site. I have more invested defending Bazunu than I do Kelleher. If Kelleher starts I can't lose!

[joey B]

Looks nearly certain to be playing for his 3rd manager of the season soon after losing to 10 men at home today,difficult first season in the Prem for him and confidence probably not very high at the minute........
A dilemma for Kenny for next month for sure...

[JR89]

Looks nearly certain to be playing for his 3rd manager of the season soon after losing to 10 men at home today,difficult first season in the Prem for him and confidence probably not very high at the minute........
A dilemma for Kenny for next month for sure...

Sacked him this morning. Really baffling appointment in the first place.

[elatedscum]

Bazunu has one of the greatest managers in Europe, if not the world in charge at Southampton.

Not any more

[Stuttgart88]

Jones's interview on MOTD last night was cringeworthy. Probably a bit shell-shocked but "we started really well, really regressive" takes football inarticulacy to new levels! Not many managers are as poor in front of a camera as him, and I'd say he's even worse than Kenny in that regard.

I only saw the highlights but Baz was blameless for the goals. A triple-touch OG and a well-placed shot that should never have been allowed to have happened by midfield/defenders, who were simply beaten by greater desire to win the ball.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a new manager change the keeper as a first act though. Sometimes a change of keeper just acts as a kind of reset.

Last night I watched Fraser Forster who recently left Southampton for spurs. Late in his career I know but at times in his career he's been formidable, both for Southampton and Celtic. He looked ordinary enough shipping 4 yesterday, not to blame but failed to save two (I think) "might have saved" shots. I've been playing a mental game with myself since the keeper debate started in earnest on this site and I've been asking myself which keepers on TV are clearly better than ours and which saves/goals we'd be picking apart if our lads were in goal. I think there are a lot of keepers playing to a standard above ours even down into the Championship but at the same time I do see a lot of goals conceded without any goalkeeper criticism that we'd be going "hmm" about. It goes without saying though that being a fan increases your subjectivity I suppose.

[elatedscum]

Bazunu was the only premier league starter this weekend (I think). (Coleman could start tomorrow)

That feels like a bit of a(n) historic low. Tets - any insight into when we last had only 1 player or 0 players start a premier league weekend?

[JR89]

Probably sometime last season. Coleman was second choice to Patterson for awhile, Hendrick and Clark were surplus to requirements at Newcastle, Doherty was in and out of the team, Collins wasn't a regular starter till the end of the season and Duffy dropped out of the starting XI around Christmas because of injuries.

[tetsujin1979]

Bazunu was the only premier league starter this weekend (I think). (Coleman could start tomorrow)

That feels like a bit of a(n) historic low. Tets - any insight into when we last had only 1 player or 0 players start a premier league weekend?
Yeah, it's happened a few times, and obviously getting more frequent in recent years
However, there hasn't been a full weekend of fixtures(ie ten games) with only one Irish starting player yet, but there was only one starting player in the six games on the weekend of Friday, 15th April 2022 - Nathan Collins for Burnley away to West Ham on Sunday, 17th April
There's been only one player in weekends with nine fixtures twice, and in both cases it was Seamus Coleman for Everton


The weekend of Friday, 10th December 2021 - away to Crystal Palace on Sunday, 12th December
The weekend of Friday, 26th November 2021 - away to Brentford on Sunday, 28th November


Incidentally, if Coleman does play tonight, he'll reach 400 appearances for Everton

[Colbert Report]

Southampton are 1/5 to get relegated, not looking good for them.

[Razors left peg]

https://twitter.com/ballsdotie/status/1625217357663567874?t=n3yze6UdXAx68IrZS4jUKA&s=19

Bazunu being linked with Chelsea. Not sure I believe it, or even think it would be a good move just yet but I am convinced he will make this kind of move in next 3 years or so

[JR89]

It's a Chelsea fan with a podcast and who writes online articles that started it, and what he mentions is Bazunu is popular among the Chelsea recruitment team.

The Man City head of academy recruitment, Joe Shields, that signed Bazunu when he joined Southampton as head of senior recruitment in the summer now works as part of the recruitment team at Chelsea.

So could be talked about amongst the recruitment team as a young long term option given they did sign a few young players in the summer. Though did sign that young American keeper whose highly touted in the summer. Possibly a 2+2=5 situation of Joe Shields is now at Chelsea and might look at players he knows like Bazunu and Lavia.

[Eirambler]

Looking at Bazunu's career path to date, I don't see him wanting to go to Chelsea to be a backup keeper. And that's what he would be if he went there next season. A year in the Championship with Southampton would do him no harm at all. Southampton - assuming they go down - need to do a Burnley and use some smart recruitment around the players they already have to bounce straight back up.

[JR89]

Given the money they've spent this season between two managers that shouldn't have been at Southampton then smart recruitment might not be the new owners forte.

Was clear towards the end of last season that Hasenhuttl's time was up and should have been replaced in the summer but they stuck with him, and the less said about Nathan Jones the better.

[Stuttgart88]

Southampton are only 4 points off safety which I'd imagine is unusual for the bottom team after 22 games. Might a good managerial appointment keep them up? Wolves got a big lift after Lopetegui joined.

Edit: Jesse Marsch seems to be in the mix.

[JR89]

Southampton are only 4 points off safety which I'd imagine is unusual for the bottom team after 22 games. Might a good managerial appointment keep them up? Wolves got a big lift after Lopetegui joined.

Yeah about that good managerial appointment is they're about to appoint someone a fellow relegation rival just sacked.

1625439891680030720

[Eirambler]

Southampton are only 4 points off safety which I'd imagine is unusual for the bottom team after 22 games. Might a good managerial appointment keep them up?

It might have done but they've opted for Jesse Marsch instead.

[tetsujin1979]

https://twitter.com/ballsdotie/status/1625217357663567874?t=n3yze6UdXAx68IrZS4jUKA&s=19

Bazunu being linked with Chelsea. Not sure I believe it, or even think it would be a good move just yet but I am convinced he will make this kind of move in next 3 years or so
As always with balls(or any clickbait site) it's from a report on another site, this time it's on si.com
Which mentions that it comes from Chelsea fan and podcaster Simon Phillips(as noted by JR89), linking to his twitter
Nothing on his twitter about it, but he does have links to his substack account in his bio
Clicking the search button and entering Bazunu results in this article from two days ago
https://siphillipstalkschelsea.substack.com/p/sources-chelsea-eyeing-saints-stopper

And this one, when he first reported the interest in Bazunu, from October
https://siphillipstalkschelsea.substack.com/p/sources-lukaku-bazunu-and-mckennie/

So, I'd take it with a pinch of salt.

[seanfhear]

Yeah about that good managerial appointment is they're about to appoint someone a fellow relegation rival just sacked.

1625439891680030720That fella could do with cheering up a bit ~ Can you imagine having to listen to that face everyday ?

[Stuttgart88]

Yeah, maybe Jesse Marsch isn't what I had in mind!

[JR89]

Yeah, maybe Jesse Marsch isn't what I had in mind!

Would be some laugh if he actually kept them up and Leeds went down though.

[Stuttgart88]

This is really funny about Nathan Jones

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/feb/14/nathan-joness-exit-robs-us-of-the-funniest-manager-in-premier-league-history

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Jones won't be out of a job for long. With his statistical records, I think Man City have him lined up to replace Pep.

But I think he definitely was on the same media training course as Kenny.

[Razors left peg]

As always with balls(or any clickbait site) it's from a report on another site, this time it's on si.com
Which mentions that it comes from Chelsea fan and podcaster Simon Phillips(as noted by JR89), linking to his twitter
Nothing on his twitter about it, but he does have links to his substack account in his bio
Clicking the search button and entering Bazunu results in this article from two days ago
https://siphillipstalkschelsea.substack.com/p/sources-chelsea-eyeing-saints-stopper

And this one, when he first reported the interest in Bazunu, from October
https://siphillipstalkschelsea.substack.com/p/sources-lukaku-bazunu-and-mckennie/

So, I'd take it with a pinch of salt.

Yeah, thats why I said Im not sure I believe it, but I do think its a little indication of how highly he is regarded in general.

Hes having a tough season behind a sh1te defense but I think he'll be so much better for getting this experience so young and the move to the big club will come in the not too distant future. I could see a scenario where United would be looking to replace De Gea in 2 years and Bazunu would be on the list.

[ontheotherhand]

Yeah about that good managerial appointment is they're about to appoint someone a fellow relegation rival just sacked.

1625439891680030720

Gerrard and Lampard considered and Marsch hired.....yikes.

[seanfhear]

Gerrard and Lampard considered and Marsch hired.....yikes.

Perhaps Gerard and Lampard should join up and be the Clough and Taylor of these times ! !

[Razors left peg]

Gerrard and Lampard considered and Marsch hired.....yikes.

I heard Gerrard being linked with Leeds the other day. Madness how their player reputation still gets them linked with these type of jobs

[pineapple stu]

Madness is a company with £150m turnover or so appointing someone to one of the key managerial positions in the entire organisation and sacking them in three months. You wonder what goes on in these decisions; there seems to be no concept of consistent style from one manager to another or things like that.

I think Southampton's owners seem pretty daft but it's not exactly a unique instance. Is there any other industry where it seems to happen so often?

If they're hiring Marsch, at least they're consistent in their madness...

[seanfhear]

Southampton had been great at producing young talent for a while there. Has that dried up as well ?

[ontheotherhand]

Great Marsch Madness pun stu.

[pineapple stu]

Oh - it's not... But if you deleted your post I could go back and drop it in to mine? It's worth stealing!

[ontheotherhand]

It's nice rewriting history. Been a fair amount of it on this site recently so I'm happy to play my part.

On your other comment - I am trying to come up with a more ridiculous industry and I can't. I feel like even other sports are better managed in comparison to football. Is the best run club in England actually in Wales and run by two actors?

[pineapple stu]

I get the feeling it's easy to run a club well when you've way more money than everyone else. And they still didn't get promoted last year.

That's probably a little bit harsh on them, but still...

[Stuttgart88]

It's nice rewriting history. Been a fair amount of it on this site recently so I'm happy to play my part.

On your other comment - I am trying to come up with a more ridiculous industry and I can't. I feel like even other sports are better managed in comparison to football. Is the best run club in England actually in Wales and run by two actors?Brighton?

And English pro rugby is arguably worse. Wasps and Worcester went bust. Saracens relegated for financial doping. Several big unions (Wales, Oz…) virtually bust too.

[ontheotherhand]

I get the feeling it's easy to run a club well when you've way more money than everyone else. And they still didn't get promoted last year.

That's probably a little bit harsh on them, but still...

No need to attack Galway stu.

But yes, point taken. Mine was in jest for the most part. Even taking into account the financial advantage though, they at least seem to put some thought into managerial appointments etc whereas Southampton genuinely sound like they are self sabotaging. Watch them Marsch up the table now.