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

[Jolly Red Giant]

BBM is under severe brú these days at Leicester with RVN.
That much alone is sure.
Don't agree - Leicester were always going to be in severe danger of getting relegated - the gap between the Championship and the PL is growing rapidly and it is getting increasingly difficult for promoted teams to stay up. Last season all three promoted teams went straight back down - and it could happen again this year. Southampton are gone and it is two from Ipswich, Leicester and Wolves. If Ipswich and Leicester go down McKenna and RVN will be in big demand.

[Snapshot]

brief highlights from Bazunu's first game in Belgium.
]
Even allowing for his injury and time out, there’s no joy there. He was rated second lowest SL player in the only assessment I could find. Long hard road back for Baz. The big question is back to where?

https://1xbet.whoscored.com/matches/1819031/live/belgium-jupiler-pro-league-2024-2025-westerlo-standard-liege

[Kingdom]

Those highlights aren't pretty. I'm less inclined to blame Baz, as I really don't like Liege :-)

the old joke about 'Newcastle West and the road out of it' has parallels with Liege - the worst thing you can do is travel to Liege by train, as the main station is totally out of sync with the town itself https://www.b-europe.com/EN/Stations/Liege-Guillemins (massive generalisation alert).

[nigel-harps1954]

brief highlights from Bazunu's first game in Belgium


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfaWFPtKDjY

Some of the defending there is horrific. Bazunu doesn't exactly cover himself in glory, but the defending is just abysmal.

[Kingdom]

Some of the defending there is horrific. Bazunu doesn't exactly cover himself in glory, but the defending is just abysmal.

100%. Was very pleased to see him come for a cross early in the clip - the type of cross a keeper should be taking (in my opinion) - only for his own defender to obstruct him. I'd assume that was a language issue - wonder did it shake him a bit. the goal to put standard 3-1 up was awful awful awful.

[Stuttgart88]

I actually didn't think the second goal was that bad. Made a good reflex save onto the post a bit later.

I loved how the Liege forward rounded the keeper for the opening goal. Lovely soft touch with his right foot. Reminded me of Henrik Larsson.

[pixiehead]

Relevant point

Of course he was 'interested' in the role - he had signed a two year contract extension a couple of months earlier with Rochdale despite they being rooted to the bottom of League One - and at the time of this interview he had resigned as Rochdale manager (and they didn't want him to leave) - he wouldn't have done that unless all that was left was to sort out his contract with Man City.
He had also applied for the Man City job in 2020 and got to the final two losing out to Enzo Maresca, so he was on the Man City radar before Gavin Bazunu
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2725759/2021/07/24/why-brian-barry-murphy-quit-managing-a-football-league-club-to-coach-man-city-u23s/

[Jolly Red Giant]

He had also applied for the Man City job in 2020 and got to the final two losing out to Enzo Maresca, so he was on the Man City radar before Gavin Bazunu
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2725759/2021/07/24/why-brian-barry-murphy-quit-managing-a-football-league-club-to-coach-man-city-u23s/

And they went straight back to him when they saw how he worked with Bazunu and Amankwaah after Maresca left for Parma.

[Jolly Red Giant]

100%. Was very pleased to see him come for a cross early in the clip - the type of cross a keeper should be taking (in my opinion) - only for his own defender to obstruct him. I'd assume that was a language issue - wonder did it shake him a bit. the goal to put standard 3-1 up was awful awful awful.
I think he tried to catch it when he should have been punching it - but he was more commanding than previously when he was wary of taking out his own player. When you come for a cross you have to go through whoever is in your way.

I think he could have done better for the second goal - he got a hand to it to make the save but needed to push it out wider away from the attacker.

But I agree with nigel - the defending was woeful - Liege were repeatedly caught on the break. It was Bazunu's first game back after a year from a very serious injury - there is bound to be some rust - here is hoping he improves.

[~YTM~]

According to this, Brian Barry Murphy was interested in the role himself
From https://www.the42.ie/brian-barry-murphy-2-5482995-Jul2021/

The work he did with Bazunu, and other city players they took on loan, probably helped his case, but they also send players out on loan across Europe every year without hiring the relevant club manager

Also Rochdale was chosen because it's close to City and thought I read something at the time they chose this so he could still do some training with Man City's goalkeeping coaches while on loan.

You do get some players that go down the leagues on loan still doing some training or games with their partner clubs underage teams.

[tetsujin1979]

Another loss for Bazunu last night, 2-1 at home to Genk

[pineapple stu]

Strange end to it. Liege got an injury time penalty and the Genk keeper was sent off. All their subs were used, so an outfield player went in nets - and saved the penalty. But the ref called it back for a step off the line - technically correct, but you'd have to have a heart of stone to call it back...

Bazunu getting a bit of stick from Liege fans already - always the danger of going to a club with a good defensive record. (Though you'd wonder how watching those Westerlo highlights alright). Criticism of his command of the six-yard box in particular. And obviously some pointing out he's coming back from a long injury spell.

Didn't realise Fergal Harkin - ex Harps and Bohs - is sporting director at Liege. Was 13 years at Man City before that, so that may have been a factor in the move to Belgium.

[Buckett]

I think it was Dan McDonnell that had that story first about Bazunu moving to Liege because of the Harkin link

[Eirambler]

Wonder if he'll be left out of the March squads. Questionable whether it would be to his benefit to bring him to Dublin, out to Bulgaria and back to Dublin again for two games he's unlikely to play a minute in. Travers and O'Leary (or even Keeley if needed) can provide cover for Kelleher until Bazunu is properly back at it.

[Jolly Red Giant]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnU6C6x_FLc

[CraftyToePoke]

Don't agree - Leicester were always going to be in severe danger of getting relegated. If Leicester go down RVN will be in big demand.

Cool story dude, great imagination involved.
Leicester were four points outside the relegation zone when he took over. They have won twice & drawn once since he came in & lost nine, frequently conceding threes & fours. Protests outside the stadium made MOTD at the weekend because he's big part of a new low there. PSV haven't exactly struggled without him either.

Overall looks a poor move by BBM to involve himself in this.

McKenna will be in demand. The two do not compare

[Stuttgart88]

Poor for the first, but probably second best of the 3 keepers!

[~YTM~]

Wonder if he'll be left out of the March squads. Questionable whether it would be to his benefit to bring him to Dublin, out to Bulgaria and back to Dublin again for two games he's unlikely to play a minute in. Travers and O'Leary (or even Keeley if needed) can provide cover for Kelleher until Bazunu is properly back at it.

Hallgrinssom might want to assess him up close since Bazunu has been injured since he took over. But might be for the best to let him remain with his club.

Might also be a possibility he ends up dropped at club level. Manager could find himself under pressure to reinstate Matthieu Epolo of results don't pick up.

[Eirambler]

Cool story dude, great imagination involved.
Leicester were four points outside the relegation zone when he took over. They have won twice & drawn once since he came in & lost nine, frequently conceding threes & fours. Protests outside the stadium made MOTD at the weekend because he's big part of a new low there. PSV haven't exactly struggled without him either.

Overall looks a poor move by BBM to involve himself in this.

McKenna will be in demand. The two do not compare

BBM could well be part of the problem. His record in senior management/coaching isn't exactly stellar.

[tetsujin1979]

Juric sets loan challenge for Bazunu at Standard Liege
https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/24944805.southampton-juric-sets-loan-challenge-bazunu-standard-liege/

[Jolly Red Giant]

Poor for the first,
Yea - may have had his view blocked - but it got underneath him.

Saying that Liege are absolutely brutal at the back (Southampton mark 2).

[Eirambler]

But Liege had one of the best defensive records in the division before Bazunu came in. And while Southampton are out of their depth in the Premier League, their fortunes in the Championship improved last season after he got injured.

I like Gavin a lot, but you have to wonder if it's more than just bad luck that leads to him constantly finding himself playing with shaky defenses - is he not providing them with the confidence they need from behind them?

[~YTM~]

But Liege had one of the best defensive records in the division before Bazunu came in.

Wasn't it 23 goals conceded in 24 league games before he joined? With their main issue being able to put the ball in the back of the net. Would likely have found themselves battling relegation rather than 7th in the table only for their strong defensive record.

[pineapple stu]

A 2-1 win away to second place Club Brugge - football is strange!

They were 1-0 down when Brugge had a player sent off. Liege came back to lead 2-1, and Bazunu then seems to have played his part in withstanding a late siege of shots.

Home to Anderlecht next week.

[Olé Olé]

A 2-1 win away to second place Club Brugge - football is strange!

They were 1-0 down when Brugge had a player sent off. Liege came back to lead 2-1, and Bazunu then seems to have played his part in withstanding a late siege of shots.

Home to Anderlecht next week.

Could it be that a goalkeeper after 9 months out needs a couple of games to play himself into form? No way!

[Eirambler]

Bazunu was stretchered off at the end unfortunately.

[pineapple stu]

Oh - any more info on that? He wasn't subbed off, though they'd used their fifth sub by the 87th minute. So did they end up with ten men and an outfielder in nets (having faced exactly that the previous week!) And is it in any way related to the injury he's just coming back from?

[CraftyToePoke]

Bazunu was stretchered off at the end unfortunately.

Are you sure ?
App saying he played the 90.

[Asterix]

He got taken out by Mignolet, the whistle went after it.

[seanfhear]

He got taken out by Mignolet, the whistle went after it.Is that Mignolet ( the goalkeeper ) ?

[Stuttgart88]

Yes, he came up for a corner and collided with Bazunu. Eireguide also saying the stretcher wasn’t needed in the end.

[pineapple stu]

Don't think I've ever heard of one keeper taking the other out like that!

[John83]

Keeper's union will be on to Mignolet!

[tetsujin1979]

Selection of his saves from yesterday's games
1894054692055081050

[Stuttgart88]

Jeez, that defence! The one on 94:00 seen from behind the goal was superb.

[osarusan]

The one on 87 minutes where it was poked back towards the near post and he swatted it away while moving the other way was a super save.

[liamoo11]

The one on 87 minutes where it was poked back towards the near post and he swatted it away while moving the other way was a super save.

First very poor pushes it back into danger . Second one terrible punch against the player gets luckybits cleared off line. 4th one came for ball never got there and causes panic. Same flaws as before poor decision making , just reliant on his excellent athleticism

[pineapple stu]

Three shots on target today, and three goals conceded. Liege not helped by a red card before the hour (when it was already 2-0)

Still - 12 goals against in five games is a worry. They'd conceded 5 in the previous ten matches

[Stuttgart88]

His Twitter ratings were poor, terrible actually. Opposition was highest scoring team in the league but still...

Reminds me of a game I played once in the UCD Superleague. We won 6-3 and I had virtually nothing to do. Not only did the opposition only have 3 shots on target, they only got the ball between our two corner flags 3 times, each time a goal.

[John83]

Here's hoping he's just rusty. Gotta be in danger of being dropped though, right?

[elatedscum]

i do think we as a collective can be overly critical of irish keepers. thinking about that liverpool-psg game, and if Kelleher or Bazunu or Travers let in the Elliott shot that Donnarumma did - we'd be killing him. One shot on target in the whole game, one conceded, soft, gets his hand to it etc. Saying that Donnarumma is in or around a top 5 keeper in the world

[~YTM~]

Here's hoping he's just rusty. Gotta be in danger of being dropped though, right?

Fans will definitely be on the managers back to drop him. The young lad that started the season as their no.1 is an academy player and fans will rightly ask why aren't we continuing to develop our player whose been good this season.

Wonder if Fergal Harkin has a say in team selection. I know Southampton could have it in the loan deal that if he plays the cost of the loan is x amount and if he doesn't play it's y amount.

[Buckett]

Harkin is gone to Bolton!

[tetsujin1979]

Highlights from the weekend's game
First two goals are very similar, and it's hard to tell who to blame for the third
Xl8S4IsUGAg

[Stuttgart88]

My take?

Powderpuff defending for the first and a good finish: firm, low and just wide of his feet. Forward was odds on to score from there.

Tidy finish for the second too but it wasn't unstoppable, he might have got a hand to it.

Blameless for the 3rd.

[seanfhear]

I suggest playing Bazunu in a bright red jersey and red shorts for a start ~ ~ Only half joking here.

[Razors left peg]

Highlights from the weekend's game
First two goals are very similar, and it's hard to tell who to blame for the third
Xl8S4IsUGAg

He was poor for the 2nd, really should have saved that. I think it would be ridiculously harsh to give him any blame on the 1st one, and even watching the 3rd one a few times I cant figure out what happened.

[osarusan]

I wouldn't call the second one poor keeping. It was a well struck shot from close in, hard to get down in that time. Saveable, but would have been a good save.

No chance with the first one - no time to react to the shot so unless it hits him it's in the net.

[tetsujin1979]

Clean sheet against Antwerp today
1901278129705927049

[Jolly Red Giant]

I have been having a look at the Belgian Pro League.

There is a pretty big gap talent wise between the top six and the rest of the division. Since Bazunu has gone there Liege have played 6 games - 5 of those 6 were against top six teams (the first game was against Westerlo who are currently 9th - two spots behind Liege). From now on they are playing 10 games against the five teams just below them in the League (the play-off phase of the league). It will be interesting to see how Liege get on and how Bazunu plays over the next ten games.