Gavin Bazunu G Stoke City(loan from Southampthon) b.2002

[pineapple stu]

I suppose those are the games where, with a better keeper, the scoreline would have been kept less embarrassing.
I think more than that - if he saves the second shot (which he really should; you're right that the reverse angle view shows it as a howler that goes right through him) the score stays 1-0 and Southampton are still in a game. 2-0 and heads can drop.


there's no getting away from the reality that this is his fourth successive poor season since he signed for Southampton (including a loan move to Belgium so it can't be all Southampton's fault). I feel like he needs much better coaching than he has been getting but, even then, there are issues that it just might not be possible to fix.
This is exactly it. I'm amazed (well, at this stage maybe I'm more mildly amused) that JRG can still pretend that the issues are all defending and nothing is Bazunu's fault. His weaknesses have been there for a long time at this stage and it seems like they're just not going away. It's his third year in a row being absolutely rock bottom of the main goalkeeping stats (the irony that Sports Republic, who own Southampton, are a data-driven operation is particularly ****ing off Southampton fans on their forum), and the fourth year was the loan spell in Belgium which didn't go particularly well either.

[Jolly Red Giant]

This is exactly it. I'm amazed (well, at this stage maybe I'm more mildly amused) that JRG can still pretend that the issues are all defending and nothing is Bazunu's fault. His weaknesses have been there for a long time at this stage and it seems like they're just not going away. It's his third year in a row being absolutely rock bottom of the main goalkeeping stats (the irony that Sports Republic, who own Southampton, are a data-driven operation is particularly ****ing off Southampton fans on their forum), and the fourth year was the loan spell in Belgium which didn't go particularly well either.
When did I ever claim that 'the issues are all defending and nothing is Bazunu's fault' ?

The problem with you is you only see the mistakes (mistakes that all goalkeepers can and do make) - and you never give him an ounce of credit for anything good that he does.

As for him being bottom of the stats for three years (and then a fourth year in Belgium) - well that is utter bullsh*t given that he missed an entire year with a very serious injury.

Like I said before - for whatever reason - you don't do anything but criticise - I don't think there has ever been an acknowledgement of anything good that Bazunu has done (including saving Southampton from defeat against Birmingham and Millwall in the past week). What is the bloody obsession with doing down a young kid who has been in such a series of bad situations over the past four years and is still trying to learn his craft.

[sbgawa]

The Championship is probably the 4th or 5th biggest league in the world and all the teams in it particularly recent PL teams like Southampton can sign the best Keepers in the World, Id be inclined to back the judgement of the people keeping Bazunu as starting first choice keeper.
Southampton fans views are coloured by results rather than performances which is not unusual for fans
The Southampton coaches have access to all the Stats as well and clearly are of the opinion that they arent reflective of Bazunus worth.
As the saying goes there are lies, damn lies and statistics

[Eminence Grise]

I’d say Bazunu would find a trip to his proctologist less intrusive and forensic than reading this thread.

[pineapple stu]

Id be inclined to back the judgement of the people keeping Bazunu as starting first choice keeper.
These are the people who are going off offering €8.5m for a new keeper remember. And who also signed Ramsdale last year.

[liamoo11]

And right on cue pineapple stu is back with the criticism. Nothing about the performance of Bazunu in the previous couple of games where he saved Southampton's bacon.

Bazunu was far from the biggest problem Southampton had yeasterday - the entire team were a hot smelly mess. TTHey were as bad as Will Still's worst of games. After winning six out of his first seven, Eckart has now gone six games on the bounce without a win (with a game against a resurgent Hull in a couple of weeks). He needs to figure out what they were doing right in the first few weeks and what has gone wrong since the middle of December.

One thing I do agree with is that it would be Bazunu's interest to get out of Southampton - but that is easier said that done - he needs to be careful about where he ends up (just like Ferguson)

Ferguson ended up in a team fighting for the title in Italy, that is a good spot for any footballer to end up in

[Jolly Red Giant]

These are the people who are going off offering €8.5m for a new keeper remember. And who also signed Ramsdale last year.
And here is more BS - Southampton are not offering €8.5m for Peretz - they are offering to take him on loan for a fee of €400K and the option to buy for €8m at the end of the loan. That is also contingent on Hamburg agreeing to a buyout of the loan fee they paid Bayern last summer (effectively they want all their money back).

As for Ramsdale - Southampton bought him in August 2024 - when Bazunu was three months into a 12 month rehab on his achilles injury. Now Ramsdale is a good keeper - Southampton paid €25m for him and he is still their player (Newcastle paid Southampton £4m loan fee for the season - where he was brought in as a back-up for Nick Pope - and once Pope recovered from his injury last week he was back in goal again after Ramsdale's seven match run). Ramsdale has a £20m release clause in his contract but nobody was willing to pony up that amount of money - being at Southampton has damaged more than one players reputation - Ramsdale let in something like 70 goals in the 30 PL games he played for Southampton (Bazunu conceded 56 in his 32 PL games).

[Jolly Red Giant]

Ferguson ended up in a team fighting for the title in Italy, that is a good spot for any footballer to end up in
He is still a Brighton player unless Roma are willing to part with €40m for him. Overall Ferguson is in a better situation than Bazunu - but he probably does need to leave Brighton at this stage.

[rebelmusic]

I've been reading the back and forth with wry amusement but I don't think it's fair at this point to suggest Bazunu is playing well. He may be in a basket case of a team that have a mountain of defensive problems but I don't think he gets a free pass for having the odd decent game. His issue is consistency and that's pretty much been the case since he took the risk of moving to the saints.

I hope he gets out of there and comes good but I really don't think he's our automatic second choice anymore and I'd be a nervous wreck if we had to start him at the moment.

[liamoo11]

He is still a Brighton player unless Roma are willing to part with €40m for him. Overall Ferguson is in a better situation than Bazunu - but he probably does need to leave Brighton at this stage.

Yeah Brighton has been a grave yard for irish players- Hutchinson, molumby, connolly, furlong, cahill, cashin, slater , moran and ferguson

[IsMiseSean]

Yeah Brighton has been a grave yard for irish players- Hutchinson, molumby, connolly, furlong, cahill, cashin, slater , moran and ferguson

Speaking of Connolly, last night he randomly posted a promotional video of Fenerbache on X.

Today, he's account has been taken over by some random Turkish bloke. https://x.com/DerinFenerli_

[liamoo11]

Speaking of Connolly, last night he randomly posted a promotional video of Fenerbache on X.

Today, he's account has been taken over by some random Turkish bloke. https://x.com/DerinFenerli_

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/25753775.southampton-coach-confirms-long-decision-wont-rule-bazunu-exit/ looks like he will move permanently makes sense 18 months on his contract so a chance to get some of the 14 million(that's what Internet says southampton paid) back. Be interesting to see what they might get? Kelleher seemingly was around 14 million as well so difficult to see anyone paying more than 7 or 8? Obviously an excellent keeper so hopefully new set up gets the confidence going

[Eirambler]

Only 18 months on his contract and they're selling him when his stock is at its lowest so I can't see them getting too much for him. His stats suggest there won't be any Championship interest, as he has struggled in that division. Possibly a Premier League club might take him for four or five million as a backup keeper, maybe as a third choice to start with. That's nothing to those clubs in terms of cost, he's good with the ball at his feet and is young enough that he could improve with a couple of years of better coaching, so there might be something in that.

Otherwise he could maybe draw some interest from continental Europe or further afield off the back of his Premier League experience.

[pineapple stu]

Peretz straight in for his debut today anyway. McCarthy on the bench and Bazunu not in the squad, which is strange

[culloty82]

Probably best not to cast judgement until it's a Championship game, rather than a cup game against lower league opposition where multiple changes will be made anyway.

[pineapple stu]

True - I see Manning and Azaz not in the squad either

[pixiehead]

Manager also said the Irish boys had a few days off as they had a no break.

[pineapple stu]

Peretz not winning the fans over on the Southampton forum anyway.

"Take a bow Spors... You've found someone worse than Bazunu... Bravo, sir, bravo"
"Wow - Peretz looks absolute ****e"
"Keeper was like me when I used to have to take turn in goal at 5aside"

[liamoo11]

Peretz not winning the fans over on the Southampton forum anyway.

"Take a bow Spors... You've found someone worse than Bazunu... Bravo, sir, bravo"
"Wow - Peretz looks absolute ****e"
"Keeper was like me when I used to have to take turn in goal at 5aside"


I don't think it makes any difference they need to sell gavin to try and get some money back. If they keep him until summer danger is he runs contract down and leaves for free. Selling him is best for everyone

[Eirambler]

I did think Peretz was an odd choice. They need a more experienced safe pair of hands. Someone like Anthony Patterson, who has lost his starting place at Sunderland.

[pineapple stu]

Dan McDonnell reporting he's in Stoke today to seal a loan move with an option to buy in the summer. Stoke have the best defence in the Championship and are just a point outside the playoffs, but keeper Viktor Johansson, who's been playing very well this season, has been ruled out for an extended period of time. Be interesting to see how that goes if the move goes through.

[irishfan86]

Sounds like a great situation to build confidence in front of a stable back line. Bazunu is not blameless for the issues at Southampton but I think he’s been needlessly exposed for literally years given the types of systems they’ve played.

[Eirambler]

He's moving from one of the grumpiest sets of supporters in English football to another, so there will be no respite for him if it doesn't go well. However it will at least give us a sense of whether his issues in recent seasons have been more down to him of more down to Southampton.

[Jd2793]

Sounds like a great situation to build confidence in front of a stable back line. Bazunu is not blameless for the issues at Southampton but I think he’s been needlessly exposed for literally years given the types of systems they’ve played.

statistically the worst keeper in the championship in his last 2 starting seasons. enough of the excuses. people have their heads in the sand with him

[rebelmusic]

This would be a dream move if it happens and agreed, the jury could come in on whether he still has the promise she showed a few years ago

[pineapple stu]

statistically the worst keeper in the championship in his last 2 starting seasons. enough of the excuses. people have their heads in the sand with him
In fairness, you can acknowledge that and still be interested in how things might turn out with a break from Southampton, which he clearly needs. I think it's a good move for him.

He's replacing statistically one of the best keepers in the Championship in Johansen, so if his form doesn't improve, it'll very quickly show up. If Stoke don't take up the option to buy at the end of the season then it's hard to see him get another Championship gig until he proves himself at a lower level (including somewhere abroad)

[John83]

Certainly a great oppotunity for him. He's in a bit of a rut at Southampton, whoever and whatever is to blame.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Certainly a great oppotunity for him. He's in a bit of a rut at Southampton, whoever and whatever is to blame.
Yes - a good move.

It is unlikely that Stoke would take up the option to buy unless the fee was low enough to make it worthwhile (and the cost of Bazunu's contract as well). Stoke have a good keeper in Johansson and are unlikely to want to replace him - even if they get promoted. If Bazunu plays well - then the best option for him might be to look for a loan in 26-27 and see out his contract. He needs to be patient and make sure he ends up in the best position for him in terms of the next club he signs for. Southampton might want to move him on - but Bazunu holds the cards going into the last year of his contract and needs to be comfortable about who might try to buy him.

As for statistics - it is much easier to have good stats when you have defenders who know how to defend and a manager who knows what he is doing. Robins has been very consistent throughout his managerial career and doesn't get the credit he deserves.

[Eirambler]

It's apparently rumoured that Stoke's injured first choice keeper has a release clause that's the same amount as the buy option Stoke have on Bazunu - £8m. So if the release clause was triggered Stoke could buy Bazunu as a replacement at effectively zero cost. However, that would of course be dependent on them still wanting Bazunu having had him on a loan/trial basis for half a season. I want this to be a turning point for him but, if it isn't, the excuses for his displays will need to stop.

[Jolly Red Giant]

It's apparently rumoured that Stoke's injured first choice keeper has a release clause that's the same amount as the buy option Stoke have on Bazunu - £8m. So if the release clause was triggered Stoke could buy Bazunu as a replacement at effectively zero cost. However, that would of course be dependent on them still wanting Bazunu having had him on a loan/trial basis for half a season. I want this to be a turning point for him but, if it isn't, the excuses for his displays will need to stop.

That's a decent position for Bazunu to be in. £8m isn't a massive amount of money for a keeper who could play in the top division of most of the European leagues and potentially might be good enough for the PL (although at 27 Johansson is reaching his peak so that would have to happen fairly soon unless it is with Stoke through promotion).

People need to recognise what Bazunu has been through - what looked like a very good decision to join Southampton turned into a disaster - relegation from the PL when Southampton couldn't defend (and he still conceded fewer goals than Ramsdale) - a season in the Championship where he was doing okay turns to disaster with his injury - 12 months out with Southampton getting relegated again - and this season a shambles with Will Still and then some momentum when Eckert took over. Three and a half years where everything seems to be going wrong for a kid who is still only 23 years old - it has to take a toll.

To move on Bazunu has to be physically and mentally strong - and I think everyone agrees getting out of Southampton is necessary. The Stoke move could prove to be very good - but I caution on expecting too much given everything he has been through. I am as optimistic as I was when I saw him playing for Shamrock Rovers - he has something about him - and I think if he gets into the right situation (a little like Kelleher has with Brentford) then things could go very well for him. Time will tell.

[rebelmusic]

Looking very possible that this could happen so I hope he literally grabs this by the balls

[pineapple stu]

People need to recognise what Bazunu has been through - what looked like a very good decision to join Southampton turned into a disaster - relegation from the PL when Southampton couldn't defend (and he still conceded fewer goals than Ramsdale)
This sort of stat is exactly why PSxG is a better metric of keepers. Southampton last year conceded 86 goals compared to 73 in Bazunu's year. But they also faced 245 shots on target compared to 150. Of course they were going to concede more goals - that's hardly a reflection on the keepers. (Bazunu's season actually saw him playing behind one of the tightest defences in that regard).

But drill down into the PSxG stat, which takes out all the noise and just looks at how they performed against what they faced, and you can see Ramsdale at -2.5 and Bazunu at a record-breaking -16.9. Ramsdale would have kept Southampton up in 2022/23. Let's not go in anay way pretending Ramsdale performed worse than Bazunu in those two seasons.


Looking very possible that this could happen so I hope he literally grabs this by the balls
One of the most egregious uses of the word "literally" I think I've ever seen!

[tetsujin1979]

That's a stretch, Southampton were terrible that season. One player wouldn't have made a difference.

[pineapple stu]

Give them back 15 goals and it's a lot of points. And that's before you get to the momentum factor a few positive results generate.

But maybe I should have said he "could" rather than "would" have kept them up in fairness.

[pixiehead]

Confirmed
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/0113/1552852-bazunu-completes-loan-move-to-stoke-city/
Walters pulling the strings.

Best of luck Gavin.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Ramsdale would have kept Southampton up in 2022/23.
Nobody would have kept Southampton up that season - they were dead and buried by November


Let's not go in anay way pretending Ramsdale performed worse than Bazunu in those two seasons.
Who ever made that claim?

This was a demonstration of lies, damned lies and statistics - at the end of the day you can get stats to say whatever you want them to say (and I say that as someone with training in statistics - the reason why I have a healthy disregard for them)

[Jolly Red Giant]

Confirmed
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/0113/1552852-bazunu-completes-loan-move-to-stoke-city/
Walters pulling the strings.

Best of luck Gavin.
Yes indeed - hopefully he can push on from here.

[Kingdom]

Ramsdale would have kept Southampton up in 2022/23.

Would you stop, that's absolute nonsense. A cantilever beam wouldn't have kept Southampton up, nevermind Aaron Ramsdale.

[pineapple stu]

Don't agree. I've given my reasons but you haven't given any back, which is your call but leaves little to debate really.

They were ten points from safety; give them 15 or so fewer goals against and you don't think that could change five draws into five wins?

But the main point is let's not pretend (as JRG did) that Ramsdale conceding more goals in the Premier (from about 50% more shots) in any way suggests Bazunu is a better keeper

[Jd2793]

Don't agree. I've given my reasons but you haven't given any back, which is your call but leaves little to debate really.

They were ten points from safety; give them 15 or so fewer goals against and you don't think that could change five draws into five wins?

But the main point is let's not pretend (as JRG did) that Ramsdale conceding more goals in the Premier (from about 50% more shots) in any way suggests Bazunu is a better keeper


not much point mentioning stats , video evidence or anything concrete about bazunu. some people wont take it on board and prefer the have their heads in the sand.

[rebelmusic]

New start. Think where Parrot was a couple of seasons ago and the new lease on life he got at the right club. Bazunu and Southampton hasn't worked, all the chance in the world we'll be reflecting on this bad period in a years time and marvelling about how good a move it was for him

[Eirambler]

I'd say if Parrott had gone to Stoke instead of the Eredivisie he'd still be as bad now as he was three years ago.

[samhaydenjr]

Would you stop, that's absolute nonsense. A cantilever beam wouldn't have kept Southampton up, nevermind Aaron Ramsdale.

Yes, but that's because cantilever beams don't have the distribution skills required from the modern goalkeeper

[Jolly Red Giant]

But the main point is let's not pretend (as JRG did) that Ramsdale conceding more goals in the Premier (from about 50% more shots) in any way suggests Bazunu is a better keeper


And to repeat myself again -




Who ever made that claim?



Building paper castles is all you do.


Yes, but that's because cantilever beams don't have the distribution skills required from the modern goalkeeper
Distribution is one of the things Bazunu is good at - the problem was/is Southampton defenders are not very good at keeping hold of the ball afterwards.

[rebelmusic]

Intro video for joining stoke...the music is like an 80s porno 😂😂

https://youtu.be/Gg6kfNlTNNU?si=ceRxVDyGtfJ09b_U

Had a read through the Stoke forums and while there's a fair amount of apprehension, he'll win them over fairly fast if he comes good for them. Lots of suggestion that he'll have to fight for his place with Simkin though. I can't imagine he got any guarantees when agreeing to join them.

[rebelmusic]

Solid first game for Stoke. Had very little to do but did everything right. Clean sheet must be a nice confidence boost whatever else.

[Eirambler]

Was interesting to see Peretz being hung out to dry by his defenders for the first goal Southampton conceded today as well (admittedly most of the blame fell on Ryan Manning). On today's evidence it's 1-0 to Bazunu over Southampton in the "who's to blame for the last four years" battle.

[rebelmusic]

Southampton is a basket case at the moment, would be surprised if they don't have a new manager within the next fortnight

[Eirambler]

They made the classic mistake of hiring a caretaker manager off the back of a temporary post-sacking bounce. Anyone would have looked like an improvement on Will Still, but that doesn't necessarily make them a good manager.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Was interesting to see Peretz being hung out to dry by his defenders for the first goal Southampton conceded today as well (admittedly most of the blame fell on Ryan Manning). On today's evidence it's 1-0 to Bazunu over Southampton in the "who's to blame for the last four years" battle.
Peretz was all at sea flapping at the ball for the second goal as well.