Did I say he wasn't? My point was that we do have options, contrary to what was being suggested.
If I thought that was a serious point I'd be worried. Seriously, if playing time on its own - over either form or ability - determined selection, we'd be looking at a severely weakened and completely unbalanced squad.Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954
I've made this point before. We as fans are very short termised. If that's a word. We see errors for a keeper or any player, we see them dropped etc and start to worry but this happens to all players. Even our greats. Using a keeper example. Given was benched on a few different occasions during his club career and had spells of bad form with poor errors but he never let us down when he played (except maybe at the end). Overall his career was outstanding. Looking back on Bazunu in 10-15 years and no one will remember this spell. Let's calm down and let these youngsters develop and fight for an Irish spot.
Bazunu is the incumbent so the starting spot is his to lose and imo anyone displacing him has to clearly outperform him. Have any of the other goalkeepers outperformed him this year? I don't think so, he is not having a great season but at the same time international football is a lower standard than the PL.
On the other side of the fence,
If you are of the view that it is between CK and GB then you need to ask yourself how important playing time is in this specific situation. CK has never been more than a backup goalkeeper but that may actually be an argument in his favour as he is used to sitting for extended periods and only playing a game here and there.
I think while that's true, it's hard not to be short-termist when considering who would start in two weeks' time.
How good Bazunu (or Kelleher or Travers or whoever) become in 10 years' time isn't really relevant in this instance.
You pick who hasn't let you down. Bazunu is in the jersey and he hasn't let us down so he gets picked. For someone to usurp him, they would have to be showing great form and noticeable appearances. That isn't happening so it's an easy decision. Same when we had Randolph or Forde, not outstanding but solid and no one passed them out.
He was poor for both goals against Armenia. Meant we went from being ok (if lethargic) to bricking it in the space of two minutes.
Is that not letting us down?
Mistakes happen. Robbie Keane missed sitters, you still wouldn't drop him. Bazunu has done far more good than bad in an Irish shirt. So at 20, he will keep the shirt until someone out performs him at club level. That ain't happening yet although I have no reason to have doubts about Kelleher either.
But there's a lot of mistakes, especially lately though. It's a real worry form-wise and confidence-wise. It's a worry too that Kelleher/Travers aren't getting game, but that doesn't mean you can turn a blind eye to form.
Mod warning: lads, anyone using any terms ending in "tard" can take March off from the site. Be civil, or be gone.
You can't spell failure without FAI
Point taken, Colonel Mustard
Not for Ireland! He could concede howlers every game for Southampton if he wants, as long as he performs for us. Obviously, if his Ireland performances turn bad then we look to replace him but for now this is a no brainer. I think he feels more comfortable with Egan, Collins and I Shea in front of him than the Southampton defence.
No mistakes for Ireland?
Hospital pass to Hendrick for the penalty in Portugal
Fumbling a simple shot onto the post in the same match
Dropping a corner against Azerbaijan when we'd finally gotten back on level terms
Flapping a shot back across goal in Baku
Nearly getting sent off against Qatar (the penalty that was, rightly, overturned as it was outside the box)
Being bailed out by Coleman against Luxembourg, again after another rush to the edge of the box
That's all in the last WC campaign. And add in Armenia as well then and it's far from a no-brainer
You said there's a lot of mistakes, especially lately. That's for Southampton. For Ireland he's been very good. The odd error but overall he's been valuable to us considering how bad we've been. So yes, it's a no-brainer.
Bailed out by McClean after making the same mistake and rushing out far too early
I’d pick Bazunu ahead of O’Leary, xG stats aside, but as a Championship regular he deserves fair consideration. He signed a new contract with Bristol City recently and thought these comments are quite apt to the Bazunu debate
Quite novel this acceptance of mistakes from a person whose job is potentially on the line. Maybe Pearson needs to read message boards."I'm really pleased that he's decided to stay with us," manager Nigel Pearson told BBC Radio Bristol.
"It gives him a chance now to push his own career on. I think that's important.
"I think his presence has been really good since he's been in the side. Mistakes happen and sometimes it's how you observe how goalkeepers in particular are able to deal with coming back from mistakes.
"I think Max continues to be exceptionally positive and visible and I love that about what he is."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64789839
christ this thread has gone mad. kelleher not making the squad over a lad at bristol city ffs. would ye cop onto yerselves lads.
Three goalies in the squad. Would expect Travers at more risk than Kelleher. Nothing unreasonable in giving O’Leary fair consideration.
What has Kelleher done lately to deserve to be in the squad ?
Not playing ! ! !
complete nonsense talk. dropping your 2nd choice gk (he'll probably start v latvia) for a lad who'll be 3rd choice is madness in anyones book
Posting Permissions
Quote
Bookmarks