:confused: Anytime I've watched Cork I never notice Devine.....You could say well that's proof, but I don't think so. That shows that many teams get few chances against Cork....that is a separate issue to being the best keeper. It's easy to stand there with the best team in the league, not make mistakes and kick the ball out from a pass back every so often.Quote:
Originally Posted by Éanna
However what I deem to be the best keeper is one who you know that if you are holding desperately for points, you know your keeper is good enough at holding out, irrespective of the pressure. Anyone who've seen Murphy will know that any hit and hope balls in the last minutes are dealt with by him so that tactic is going to be useless against Rovers. So it makes the opposition think hard and think again.
Compare that with Payne who couldn't keep his hands on the ball and I think you'll have to agree that simply that talent is better than not being noticed during matches.
I'll again quote my dad who is a sleeping fan whose last match was away at Bray and he said, not having seen him before, that he is the best keeper they've had since Milltown. I had no worry that we would hold on at Bray...at Waterford.......at home to UCD etc - all tight matches.
Murphy has the talent - shotstopping (Longford travelling fans might remember the shot through a load of players at Dalymount at 3-2 amongst countless others), catching(most important and invaluable, imo) and the presence in his box. Are all these three things not the true standard on which keepers should be judged?:confused:
Therefore I can only see him as being the complete goalkeeper already. The question now remains is whether he can keep that level and what level he is at. I am therefore convinced that he is the best keeper in the league.
Not just on saves at a higher level (i.e. Europe), but consistent outstanding performances in a relegation team where he won't get recognised the prospect of low confidence with a heavy defeat. I honestly rate him so high that if he were to be out for the rest of the games, I would expect the play-offs or seriously worry about bottom.
For anyone who seriously doubts, I ask of the characteristics you need to be the best keeper over the whole league season. What talents do you judge the best keeper on? A good few saves across every level or one with undoubted technical ability along with saves to match anyone? :)
