Republic of Ireland V Belgium - Saturday, 23rd March 2024 - Friendly

[elatedscum]

I guess squad will be announced on Thursday and there's no where really to talk about what we'd want O'Shea to do etc. I was thinking my starting 11 would probably be:

Kelleher

Doherty O'Shea Scales Manning

Smallbone Cullen Knight

Ogbene Szmodics Johnston



Squad would probably be:

Kelleher
Bazunu
Travers

Doherty
Coleman
Manning
McNamara (wouldn't mind Jon Gallagher or Robbie Brady in his place)

Collins
O'Shea
Scales
Omobamidele
O'Brien (could see McGuinness or McNally ahead if it weren't for injury)

Cullen
Knight
Smallbone
Browne
Azaz (wouldn't mind Ronan or Moran or Taylor in his place)
McGrath
Connell (wouldn't mind Coventry or Kilkenny or Hodge or Lawal or Adeeko in his place) - injury to Molumby has really stretched this position

Ogbene
Johnston
McAteer (wouldn't mind Sykes or Harness or Connolly in his place if it's not sorted)
Ebosele

Szmodics
Ferguson
Obafemi (wouldn't mind if Parrott or Cannon were in ahead if he's not considered 100% fit)
Idah

There's a tonne of injuries, particularly at centre half and deeper midfield (Duffy, Egan, Lenihan, McGuinness, McNally, Molumby, Hendrick, Robinson, O'Dowda*, Farrugia)...

[Razors left peg]

Im not dropping Ferguson. Still our best player and we need to try get best out of him.

For the squad O'Brien and Szmodics are definite new caps over the window for me at some point, Szmodics prob should start on form. I think Azaz should come in, but hes been on bench a lot lately. I would call up Lawal because I think he fills a position of need and has the potential to be a mainstay for long time to come.

[irishfan86]

Not going to go through full squad but this would be my XI. Wouldn’t necessarily be my move for a competitive match but this has an eye to the future while still trying to be competitive against a good side.

——————Kelleher———
——-Omobamidele —O’Shea—-O’Brien
Ebosele—————————————Ogbe ne
——————-Cullen—-Lawal——
———————-Knight—————-
————-Ferguson——-Szmodics——-

[pineapple stu]

No Keane? I'd have him in the forward options.

Not sure if I'd have Omobamidele in there, though he's done himself a favour with recent game time. Still think he might be too rusty in a position where we have others playing. I'd be looking at McGuinness/McNally/McLoughlin instead I think.

Connell/Coventry/Kilkenny/Hodge/Lawal/Adeeko have done little enough to merit a call-up - surely there's better options? Though maybe not given injuries and the general crappiness of our midfield.

Keane for Obafemi is the only change I'd really quibble about I think

[Eirambler]

I'd go...

Kelleher
Doherty Collins Omobamidele O'Shea
Cullen Smallbone
Ogbene Knight Johnston
Ferguson

The rest of my squad would be: Bazunu, Travers, Coleman, Ebosele, Manning, Scales, O'Brien, Browne, Azaz, Taylor, Sykes, Szmodics, Idah, Keane and Obafemi. I'd also call up McAteer if his paperwork is through.

So no new caps in the starting team, but the chance to cap a few out of O'Brien, Azaz, Taylor, Szmodics and McAteer off the bench.

[ifk101]

Kelleher

Doherty O'Shea Scales Manning

Smallbone Cullen Knight

Ogbene Szmodics Johnston

Agree with the formation - would revert to the flat 4. Think Manning and Johnston on the left is too defensively suspect, Scales at LB for me. Toss up between Omobamidele and Collins to partner O'Shea if Scales goes to LB - depends on who performs best at club level in the meantime. I'd have reservations about Doherty but don't see other options unless you play 4 CBs across the backline.
Agree with midfield, picks itself.
Still question marks about Szmodics' availability/ eligibility for me, so Idah to start.
And I'd start Kelleher as well now that he is playing.

[Jd2793]

i wouldnt be against 3/4 cbs starting in the back 4 tbh. go 4-5-1 out of possession, ogbene right mid/wing , johnston left. still dont think scales is good enough to be a starter at this level but i think the same about manning so

[Jd2793]

Kelleher
Doherty (need an upgrade on him) Collins Omobamidele O'Shea
Ogbene Cullen Smallbone Browne Johnston
Ferguson

Browne playing high off ferguson when we have the ball , get him crashing the box which is what he is really good at. not the best when hes used deeper

[Snapshot]

I'd go...

Kelleher
Doherty Collins Omobamidele O'Shea
Cullen Smallbone
Ogbene Knight Johnston
Ferguson

The rest of my squad would be: Bazunu, Travers, Coleman, Ebosele, Manning, Scales, O'Brien, Browne, Azaz, Taylor, Sykes, Szmodics, Idah, Keane and Obafemi. I'd also call up McAteer if his paperwork is through.

So no new caps in the starting team, but the chance to cap a few out of O'Brien, Azaz, Taylor, Szmodics and McAteer off the bench.Szmodics if willing and fit absolutely must start. His goalscoring has been little short of sensational. It would make no sense whatsoever to have him bench warming - he deserves and should be given maximum time.

[pineapple stu]

Szmodics if willing and fit absolutely must start. His goalscoring has been little short of sensational.
He's almost ahead of Ferguson on merit at this stage. Ferguson hasn't scored in 20 games now. Not writing Ferguson off obviously - maybe the change of scene would be good for him - but on form Szmodics may legimiately be the better starter option.

[weldoninhio]

Don't see why people think our No. 1 goalie will be dropped. Not like he's had a terrible run for Ireland.

[Jd2793]

Don't see why people think our No. 1 goalie will be dropped. Not like he's had a terrible run for Ireland.

well hes in a poor club run. his shot-stopping numbers are very bad this season

[weldoninhio]

well hes in a poor club run. his shot-stopping numbers are very bad this season

Why would that effect his Irish career? He hasn't put a foot wrong for us. Can't see O'Shea rocking the boat for 2 friendlies. I fully expect Bazunu to start both games. Kelleher may get a second half in each, but I think Bazunu is firmly established as number 1. He's in a side pushing for promotion, could still go up automatically if results go their way, and has been an ever-present in the league for them. Don't think he's been as bad as many have made out.

[Jd2793]

Why would that effect his Irish career? He hasn't put a foot wrong for us. Can't see O'Shea rocking the boat for 2 friendlies. I fully expect Bazunu to start both games. Kelleher may get a second half in each, but I think Bazunu is firmly established as number 1.

because hes been bad for a good while now at club level. last year was tough as the squad wasnt good enough so he got a pass but this season has been very rough. kelleher deserves a shot for his form at the highest level of the game

[weldoninhio]

because hes been bad for a good while now at club level. last year was tough as the squad wasnt good enough so he got a pass but this season has been very rough. kelleher deserves a shot for his form at the highest level of the game

So bad he's been ever-present for a team fighting for automatic promotion?? Tough crowd in here.

Kelleher has played a handful of games again this season and if Allison came back tomorrow he'd be back on bench and EL duties. Bazunu plays week in, week out and has done nothing to deserve being dropped. If he'd been playing poorly for Ireland, I could see your point, but he hasn't. Don't think O'Shea will drop him.

[Jd2793]

So bad he's been ever-present for a team fighting for automatic promotion?? Tough crowd in here.

Kelleher has played a handful of games again this season and if Allison came back tomorrow he'd be back on bench and EL duties. Bazunu plays week in, week out and has done nothing to deserve being dropped. If he'd been playing poorly for Ireland, I could see your point, but he hasn't. Don't think O'Shea will drop him.


Gavin Bazunu -
Goals Conceded = 47
Expected Goals on Target Faced =37.94
Goals Prevented= -9.06 (worst in the championship)

[weldoninhio]

Gavin Bazunu -
Goals Conceded = 47
Expected Goals on Target Faced =37.94
Goals Prevented= -9.06 (worst in the championship)

That has nothing to do with his Ireland form. Crazy to think O'Shea is gonna come in and drop him.

[Jd2793]

That has nothing to do with his Ireland form. Crazy to think O'Shea is gonna come in and drop him.

so what your essentially saying is Bazunu is bulletproof no matter whathe does at club level? bizarre.

[texidub]

I always favoured Bazunu on the basis that he has been through ups and downs under the pressure that comes with playing regularly, whereas Kelleher has until recently been largely untested. You might have said it's 50/50 in terms of ability but Baz got the nod for the reasons I just listed.

It's more complicated now. I don't think there's a huge amount between them for Ireland, but Kelleher is playing games and he's playing under more pressure than Bazunu, at a crucial time in the season, at the absolute elite level, and he is answering the questions we had about whether he's a bit fragile and inexperienced etc.

To me, it's gone from '50/50 and Bazunu gets the nod' to '50/50 and we're very lucky.' If I was picking the team, I'd start Kelleher in these friendlies, but give Bazunu the 2nd half - keep them both engaged and enthused about playing for Ireland.

[Eirambler]

If it was the same manager I'd expect him to keep the same keeper, so Bazunu would continue in that case. But given that it's a different manager, and also that it's two friendlies, I think that leaves the door open for a change to be made for these games.

For me it's nothing at all against Bazunu, he's been great for us. But this seems like the right time to give Kelleher a couple of starts and see how he gets on without the comfort blanket of having an excellent Liverpool team in front of him.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Gavin Bazunu -
Goals Conceded = 47
Expected Goals on Target Faced =37.94
Goals Prevented= -9.06 (worst in the championship)
Holy bejaysus - we are not back to this again.

Bazunu has been in excellent form for Southampton over the past 4/5months - indeed he is one of the main reasons that Southampton are doing so well.

We are very fortunate that we have two keepers who are performing at a high level for their respective clubs. I would have no problem with them each starting a game over the next two friendlies.

[NeverFeltBetter]

It would be a bit concerning for me if Kelleher didn't start at least one of the friendlies, given his recent opportunities/form. He's doing exactly what he should be doing, so it would send a very negative message if he was stuck to the bench for non-competitive matches like these.

[mark12345]

No Keane? I'd have him in the forward options.

Not sure if I'd have Omobamidele in there, though he's done himself a favour with recent game time. Still think he might be too rusty in a position where we have others playing. I'd be looking at McGuinness/McNally/McLoughlin instead I think.

Connell/Coventry/Kilkenny/Hodge/Lawal/Adeeko have done little enough to merit a call-up - surely there's better options? Though maybe not given injuries and the general crappiness of our midfield.

Keane for Obafemi is the only change I'd really quibble about I think

Keane should be in there for sure.

[weldoninhio]

so what your essentially saying is Bazunu is bulletproof no matter whathe does at club level? bizarre.

Unless he's suddenly dropped at club level, or starts throwing them in for Ireland, I think he is fairly bulletproof.

[pineapple stu]

Bazunu has been in excellent form for Southampton over the past 4/5months - indeed he is one of the main reasons that Southampton are doing so well.
Ah, this vague argument again. I don't think there's anything to back that up other than wishful thinking.

Unfortunately the stats Jd has shown are valid (they explain why Arsenal signed Raya from Brentford in the summer, and why Brentford have dropped back so much this season) and he could have added save % or even match rating to it (one of the lowest in the division in both cases). He's made more errors than Kelleher and was targetted as a weak link by France per l'Equipe. It's quite legitimate to have concerns about his performance this season, while acknowledging that, at 22, this doesn't amount to writing him off.

Kelleher has exceeded expectations at Liverpool the last while. I think form has him currently far enough ahead of Bazunu that he has to be considered our number at the moment. Why wouldn't we play our strongest team?

[Stuttgart88]

I'd agree - with a very high degree of conviction - that Kelleher is deserving of the jersey now given the form he has been in since he same into the team. He has to sart at least one of the games.

I wish people would stop dismissing Bazunu though. He was MOTM in Amsterdam in a game we were battered in and generally had a very solid WC qualifying campaign, arguably looking stronger against the better teams. He had a ropey start to the club season, an excellent prolonged run mid-season and seems to have tailed off a bit lately, along with Southampton's general performances. He was getting the same kind of plaudits as Kelleher when winning - i.e., important saves at important times. Let's see how good Kelleher is from distance (Armenia away, Ukraine at home, Belgium at home, Latvia at home...) without Van Dijk and other global superstars ahead of him and he's relying on Josh Cullen and Nathan Collins stopping shots.

And Raya was putting the fear of God into Arsenal fans in the first 10 games of the season, so much so that opposition fans jeered him receiving the ball. But he settled down. The stats don't tell you that though.

[ontheotherhand]

Also not true to say Bazunu has been poor all season.

I'd have Kelleher ahead of him right now but ignoring that Bazunu helped Southampton to their longest uneaten run in history is a bit silly. He's in a bit of a bad patch again now and Kelleher is doing really well. With a new manager in I think the right call is to go with Kelleher but I wouldn't be worried about either. Plenty more concerns elsewhere.

[ifk101]

I start Kelleher for the sake of rotation, prudent to use friendlies to give squad players playing time. Bazunu is still for me however our number one. Kelleher hasn't exceeded expectations btw - there were quite lofty prior to his run of games (best no.2). He has only exceeded expectations if he has dislodged Allison from the Liverpool starting line-up. Has it done that? I think he has done well but not enough to be considered equal to Allison.

[Jd2793]

Also not true to say Bazunu has been poor all season.

I'd have Kelleher ahead of him right now but ignoring that Bazunu helped Southampton to their longest uneaten run in history is a bit silly. He's in a bit of a bad patch again now and Kelleher is doing really well. With a new manager in I think the right call is to go with Kelleher but I wouldn't be worried about either. Plenty more concerns elsewhere.

bazunus shot stopping has been poor all season. you can see that clearly in his numbers.

[pineapple stu]

I wish people would stop dismissing Bazunu though. He was MOTM in Amsterdam in a game we were battered in and generally had a very solid WC qualifying campaign, arguably looking stronger against the better teams. He had a ropey start to the club season, an excellent prolonged run mid-season and seems to have tailed off a bit lately, along with Southampton's general performances. He was getting the same kind of plaudits as Kelleher when winning - i.e., important saves at important times.
I don't think anyone's dismissing him - I think what we're saying is if someone breaks through at one of the top clubs in the world, then that has to give that player a huge boost in terms of a starting position for us. And we're also noting that he hasn't had a great season, which again isn't dismissing him.

Southampton have been winning games by dominating possession against teams - 70+% quite regularly, even away from home - and by battering teams into submission. 20 shots against Sunderland and 26 shots against Birmingham in their last two games for example. They're a bit Man City-esque in that regard - and I don't think many would say Ederson is "one of the main reasons that Man City are doing so well". His form certainly improved from the opening few games, but it can't be ignored that the outfield players were giving him less to do too.

He was decent in Amsterdam alright - I think it's worth noting he may have been our MotM, but he certainly wasn't overall MotM, which is quite a difference, and it would have been a different picture again had he not gotten lucky with the shot he let through his arms. I think there's feeling still though that you don't see many Southampton games where he's earned them a point.

The stats do take into account Raya's jittery opening btw - I'm not sure why you think they wouldn't. In fact, they show him with a poor PSxG figure this year (-2.5). But last year he was +5.0 (and so Arsenal signed him up) and this year Flekken is -7.3. Result is Brentford have already conceded ten more goals than last year, and are in a relegation battle whereas last year they were pushing for Europe. Obviously there's other factors in there too, and I would never argue the stats are correct to the decimal point. But like it or not, this sort of big data is very relevant.

[Stuttgart88]

Overlooking what Southampton fans were saying - that the run coincided with big saves at big times. 0-0 or 1-1 in games they'd go on to win 3-1. He made a super save against WBA recently. Match winning I think.

You're just nitpicking: dismissing, underplaying, whatever way you put it you just can't give him the credit he's due when he's due it. Even qualifying how he was only our MOTM in Holland.

My point about Raya isn't that big data isn't revealing, but rather that even with the data behind he can still suddenly be perceived as a weak link. I think he now has the confidence of everyone and brings calmness which goes beyond data.

[ontheotherhand]

bazunus shot stopping has been poor all season. you can see that clearly in his numbers.

Mad to think they went unbeaten for so long with a keeper playing badly all season. Makes you wonder if the numbers don't always tell the full story.

You don't need to knock Bazunu to think Kelleher is a better option right now.

[Jd2793]

Mad to think they went unbeaten for so long with a keeper playing badly all season. Makes you wonder if the numbers don't always tell the full story.

You don't need to knock Bazunu to think Kelleher is a better option right now.

Not knocking him at all. People on here get extremely defensive when any negative is thrown the way of bazunu. You cannot get away from what the numbers are telling you, whether you like it or not. He is the worst shot stopper in the championship. that is bad in anyones book and it should be a worry for us going forward as the drop in level from the PL hasnt helped him in this regard. Nobody is questioning his ability with the ball, even southampton fans.

[Razors left peg]

There's certain people on this forum who have not liked Bazunu from day one and have never let it go. It's pathetic really

[pineapple stu]

You're just nitpicking: dismissing, underplaying, whatever way you put it you just can't give him the credit he's due when he's due it. Even qualifying how he was only our MOTM in Holland.
Not nitpicking at all. I'm not dismissing him. I don't think I'm underplaying him either. I think others are giving him far too much credit, and see anything to the contrary as people not giving him credit. But that's circular logic.

What's wrong with qualifying he was our MotM, and not (as you suggested) overall MotM? It's long been noted here that the practice of limiting MotM to Irish players is a bit of a farce, especially when we play badly overall.

I think you're arguing a point with Raya that I wasn't making. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance - so he can have been excellent for Brentford but a bit ropey for Arsenal. That's fine - but not the point I was making about big data. My point was that big negative PSxG figures can't just be dismissed as easily as some (JRG for example) would like.


Mad to think they went unbeaten for so long with a keeper playing badly all season. Makes you wonder if the numbers don't always tell the full story.
You don't think keeping the ball away from the keeper as well as they did would have helped?

[Stuttgart88]

I don't think data can be dismissed either but I think you can read too much into it too.

If Bazunu was our best player in Amsterdam, he was our best player in Amsterdam, no more no less. He played very well. I think some here will only say so through gritted teeth.

[ontheotherhand]

Not knocking him at all. People on here get extremely defensive when any negative is thrown the way of bazunu. You cannot get away from what the numbers are telling you, whether you like it or not. He is the worst shot stopper in the championship. that is bad in anyones book and it should be a worry for us going forward as the drop in level from the PL hasnt helped him in this regard. Nobody is questioning his ability with the ball, even southampton fans.

You've pivoted to shot stopping now. You said he was playing badly all season. In a team that went 25 games unbeaten. Unbelievable effort from the other 10 lads.

Why the hyperbole? Say his shot stopping needs to improve and your prefer Kelleher right now.

A casual read of the Southampton forum shows you his uptick in form and the recent downturn. He has plenty of fans and critics and they have all had their moment in the sun this season.

[Jd2793]

You've pivoted to shot stopping now. You said he was playing badly all season. In a team that went 25 games unbeaten. Unbelievable effort from the other 10 lads.

Why the hyperbole? Say his shot stopping needs to improve and your prefer Kelleher right now.

A casual read of the Southampton forum shows you his uptick in form and the recent downturn. He has plenty of fans and critics and they have all had their moment in the sun this season.


Pivoted? Its literally the only thing ive commented on. Whats hyperbolic about mentioning his shot stopping numbers being as bad as they are? is it not a worry? it should bem, especially after relegation when youd have hoped it would improve.

[ontheotherhand]

because hes been bad for a good while now at club level. last year was tough as the squad wasnt good enough so he got a pass but this season has been very rough. kelleher deserves a shot for his form at the highest level of the game

This is what you said earlier.

I've no problem with the shot stopping numbers. They definitely tell a story and you're right to say it's concerning. No issue there.

But he's been playing well this season for long stretches which is encouraging. You don't go on a 25 match unbeaten run with a bad goalkeeper.

Even if he was in the middle of his good stretch of form I'd play Kelleher now though. Kelleher is doing it at a higher level.

[SkStu]

Bazunu is already a very good keeper who will only get better. Ridiculous that it is being suggested otherwise.

Kelleher has taken advantage of some good fortune to now stake an appropriate claim for the starting spot and is showing himself to be capable of handling the pressure and performing well over a few games in a row.

Most definitely think it is time to give him his shot to win the Irish #1 jersey but I also hope that the issues that have prevented him from staking a claim until now are addressed somehow through a move to be the starter at another club or that he plays so well that he becomes the first choice for Liverpool even when Allison is back.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Not knocking him at all. People on here get extremely defensive when any negative is thrown the way of bazunu. You cannot get away from what the numbers are telling you, whether you like it or not. He is the worst shot stopper in the championship. that is bad in anyones book and it should be a worry for us going forward as the drop in level from the PL hasnt helped him in this regard. Nobody is questioning his ability with the ball, even southampton fans.
I'll just speak for myself here - I have seen dozens of goalkeepers playing for Ireland over the past 50+ years. Apart from Shay Given - we have two young, talented goalkeepers who are better than any other goalkeeper we have had during that period.

People can nit-pick about Bazunu and / or Kelleher - but remember we had goalies like Mick Kearns, Paddy Roche, Nick Colgan, David Forde, Wayne Henderson, Kieran Westwood etc - all decent lads who generally never let Ireland down - but none with the talent of Bazunu or Kelleher. We should be celebrating that these two goalkeepers are so good and are only going to get better.

Now - the lies, damned lies and statistics -

Southampton had an absolutely woeful defence last season - and that continued into this season. Southampton have conceded 47 goals this season - 20 of those were in the first 8 games of the season and another 15 in the last 7 games. In the 21 intervening games they conceded a total of 12 goals. The first 8 games the Southampton defence was a shambles and Bazunu was repeatedly exposed - in the last 7 games Southampton have hit a major hiccup, likely getting a bit ahead of themselves because of the good run they were on. Russell Martin's teams are not known for defending - they have the approach 'if you score 3, we will score 4' - and that is a major problem for any goalkeeper because they are constantly playing for a team that doesn't defend properly.

In contrast - WBA have conceded 11 fewer goals than Southampton. Alex Palmer is 27 years old - five years older than Bazunu and has spent pretty much his entire career bouncing around lower league teams on loan (and often as a back-up). I bet if you check the stats Palmer will have better 'stats' than Bazunu - but the reason for that is because WBA have a focus on not conceding goals. You put Bazunu into that WBA team and they would be at least in third spot if not in one of the two automatic spots. That defensive solidity is also the reason that if both WBA and Southampton are promoted, WBA are likely to do better in the PL - because Southampton will continue to ship a huge amount of goals because of the way that they play.

Bazunu has been excellent for Southampton this season - even during the recent hiccup. He makes at least one outstanding save per game, usually at a crucial time, and he has been one of the main reasons why Southampton are doing as well as they are (along with the form of both Armstrong and Adams).

Kelleher has also been excellent over the past few weeks (in 6 of the 7 PL games he has played). He too has made some crucial saves.

Let's celebrate the fact that these are two good goalkeepers - and again - I would give each of them a game in the friendlies.

[Jd2793]

I'll just speak for myself here - I have seen dozens of goalkeepers playing for Ireland over the past 50+ years. Apart from Shay Given - we have two young, talented goalkeepers who are better than any other goalkeeper we have had during that period.

People can nit-pick about Bazunu and / or Kelleher - but remember we had goalies like Mick Kearns, Paddy Roche, Nick Colgan, David Forde, Wayne Henderson, Kieran Westwood etc - all decent lads who generally never let Ireland down - but none with the talent of Bazunu or Kelleher. We should be celebrating that these two goalkeepers are so good and are only going to get better.

Now - the lies, damned lies and statistics -

Southampton had an absolutely woeful defence last season - and that continued into this season. Southampton have conceded 47 goals this season - 20 of those were in the first 8 games of the season and another 15 in the last 7 games. In the 21 intervening games they conceded a total of 12 goals. The first 8 games the Southampton defence was a shambles and Bazunu was repeatedly exposed - in the last 7 games Southampton have hit a major hiccup, likely getting a bit ahead of themselves because of the good run they were on. Russell Martin's teams are not known for defending - they have the approach 'if you score 3, we will score 4' - and that is a major problem for any goalkeeper because they are constantly playing for a team that doesn't defend properly.

In contrast - WBA have conceded 11 fewer goals than Southampton. Alex Palmer is 27 years old - five years older than Bazunu and has spent pretty much his entire career bouncing around lower league teams on loan (and often as a back-up). I bet if you check the stats Palmer will have better 'stats' than Bazunu - but the reason for that is because WBA have a focus on not conceding goals. You put Bazunu into that WBA team and they would be at least in third spot if not in one of the two automatic spots. That defensive solidity is also the reason that if both WBA and Southampton are promoted, WBA are likely to do better in the PL - because Southampton will continue to ship a huge amount of goals because of the way that they play.

Bazunu has been excellent for Southampton this season - even during the recent hiccup. He makes at least one outstanding save per game, usually at a crucial time, and he has been one of the main reasons why Southampton are doing as well as they are (along with the form of both Armstrong and Adams).

Kelleher has also been excellent over the past few weeks (in 6 of the 7 PL games he has played). He too has made some crucial saves.

Let's celebrate the fact that these are two good goalkeepers - and again - I would give each of them a game in the friendlies.


the stats im using dont take into account play style. they account for the quality+likelihood of the shot on target the keeper faces going in.
but waffle away.

[Snapshot]

Mark Travers was a major factor in Bournemouth's 21/22 promotion. The best goalkeeper by a country mile in the Championship and was duly selected in its team of the season. Come Premiership time and, well, he was soon back in the Championship (on loan) - and shining again.

Southampton were atrocious in the EPL last season with Bazunu very much in the sum of their broken parts. Had Southampton anyone other than inept McCarthy then Bazunu would have been benched after 10 games.

So two young goalkeepers struggling badly at EPL level. Yet one is hyped and and the other is an afterthought, forgotten almost. Doesn't make sense. If Southampton are promoted, they'll need to make a big call on Bazunu.

[ifk101]

Bazunu is integral to how Southampton want to play - he is effectively a goalkeeper and a sweeper. If they get promoted, they'll probably look at a backup keeper to Bazunu. Don't know the size of Southampton's budget, but an improvement on Bazunu that allows them to continue to play the way they do won't come cheap.

[pineapple stu]

I don't think data can be dismissed either but I think you can read too much into it too.
I think if the stats are as bad as they are, then they warrant more than the almost blanket dismissal they're getting here.

Certainly I'd be valuing them over his performance in the Dutch game (which was indeed decent).


Now - the lies, damned lies and statistics -

Bazunu has been excellent for Southampton this season - even during the recent hiccup. He makes at least one outstanding save per game, usually at a crucial time, and he has been one of the main reasons why Southampton are doing as well as they are (along with the form of both Armstrong and Adams).
Speaking of lies and damn lies, eh?

The bit in bold is nonsense with nothing to back it up. (Indeed, most of your post is you saying things you want to believe are true in the face of all available evidence to the contrary)


Bazunu is integral to how Southampton want to play - he is effectively a goalkeeper and a sweeper.
I think this is a good point. What the modern game wants from a keeper has changed. There's a few posters on the Southampton forum who would rather they had a keeper who could save a few shots than make some good passes though (and his distribution generally seems to be considered very good).

[Eirambler]

Mark Travers was a major factor in Bournemouth's 21/22 promotion. The best goalkeeper by a country mile in the Championship and was duly selected in its team of the season. Come Premiership time and, well, he was soon back in the Championship (on loan) - and shining again.

Southampton were atrocious in the EPL last season with Bazunu very much in the sum of their broken parts. Had Southampton anyone other than inept McCarthy then Bazunu would have been benched after 10 games.

So two young goalkeepers struggling badly at EPL level. Yet one is hyped and and the other is an afterthought, forgotten almost. Doesn't make sense. If Southampton are promoted, they'll need to make a big call on Bazunu.

It does make sense because Travers' and Bazunu's situations aren't comparable really. Travers is an old school type of keeper. Big lad, good shot stopper, big boot on him. He'll thrive at Championship level whenever he plays there, but his strengths don't suit what 90% of Premier League teams are looking for from a keeper.

Whereas Bazunu is a Premier League keeper in terms of his style of play. He'll take more risks, and will get caught out sometimes - and moreso in the Premier League because the standard is higher - but teams will accept that because of the style of keeper he is. Travers seems like a really decent lad, but his only battle here is with Max O'Leary for the third choice keeper spot in the squad.

[Asterix]

The prevented goal stat went down -1.4 because of the Sunderland game on saturday. Im not sure how anyone could watch that and say he should save those goals.

[Stuttgart88]

Both unstobbale imho. A deflection right into the bottom corner & a worldie from Bellingham started well beyond any keeper's reach. What did the post-shot XG say in each instance?

[Snapshot]

It does make sense because Travers' and Bazunu's situations aren't comparable really. Travers is an old school type of keeper. Big lad, good shot stopper, big boot on him. He'll thrive at Championship level whenever he plays there, but his strengths don't suit what 90% of Premier League teams are looking for from a keeper.

Whereas Bazunu is a Premier League keeper in terms of his style of play. He'll take more risks, and will get caught out sometimes - and moreso in the Premier League because the standard is higher - but teams will accept that because of the style of keeper he is. Travers seems like a really decent lad, but his only battle here is with Max O'Leary for the third choice keeper spot in the squad.

Whereas Bazunu is a Premier League keeper in terms of his style of play. He'll take more risks, and will get caught out sometimes - and moreso in the Premier League because the standard is higher - but teams will accept that because of the style of keeper he is. Travers seems like a really decent lad, but his only battle here is with Max O'Leary for the third choice keeper spot in the squad.[/QUOTE]

[Snapshot]

It does make sense because Travers' and Bazunu's situations aren't comparable really. Travers is an old school type of keeper. Big lad, good shot stopper, big boot on him. He'll thrive at Championship level whenever he plays there, but his strengths don't suit what 90% of Premier League teams are looking for from a keeper.

Whereas Bazunu is a Premier League keeper in terms of his style of play. He'll take more risks, and will get caught out sometimes - and moreso in the Premier League because the standard is higher - but teams will accept that because of the style of keeper he is. Travers seems like a really decent lad, but his only battle here is with Max O'Leary for the third choice keeper spot in the squad.

That's just a tissue of excuses. It's akin to the soft landing afforded forwards who don't score - they create space, run the channels, put forward pressure etc etc. Nice, but how about scoring a few goals.

Yes, the game has developed, roles have changed, evolved, whatever. But the goalkeeper's primary job is still to stop stoppable shots and command his area. Always was, always will be.

Give or take a clanger or two, Bazunu has come good in the Championship because Southampton are a top team there and, from what I've seen, the opposition plays deep against them. The pressure has been considerably reduced on Bazunu at a considerably lower standard of football.

I'm unconvinced Bazunu will not struggle again if Southampton are promoted - and I believe most Southampton fans are of the same opinion.