Darren Randolph (G West Ham b.1987)

**DannyInvincible** · 22/05/2015, 6:58 PM

Randolph is finalising a move to a Premier League club as a free agent, according to Birmingham: http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/dar...y-2453606.aspx

Originally Posted by BCFC.com

The Irish international was offered a new contract by Blues, but following lengthy negotiations he has declined it and is believed to be finalising a move to a Premier League side as a Bosman free agent.

Manager Gary Rowett revealed to bcfc.com: "Throughout the whole process we have been open and honest with one another, which is the way it should be.

"Unfortunately Darren has informed us he will be leaving and naturally we are sorry to see him go.

"He has been an excellent player for us, an integral part of the team that finished tenth this season.

"Success breeds success and players do get other opportunities put before them which they feel they have to take.

"Darren leaves with our very best wishes and our thanks for his contribution.

"As a Club we now move on and we look elsewhere.

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 29/05/2015, 3:15 PM

The best Irish goalkeeper in the Championship according to Opta.

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/spor...rowett-9327676

**samhaydenjr** · 30/05/2015, 2:55 AM

Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

The best Irish goalkeeper in the Championship according to Opta.

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/spor...rowett-9327676

That's very interesting, considering he had a few really difficult games. That said, 11 clean sheets is not to be sniffed at (including Birmingham's final 3) so it will be interesting to see where he goes next season, as a free agent. Is it possible that he will leapfrog David Forde in the line next season?

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 30/05/2015, 12:52 PM

http://www.eppingforestguardian.co.u...dolph_capture/

Signing for West Ham.

**nigel-harps1954** · 30/05/2015, 1:01 PM

Great, another goalkeeper sitting on the bench for a Premier Division club.

**tetsujin1979** · 30/05/2015, 1:04 PM

probably as a replacement for Jussi Jääskeläinen, he was released by West Ham
Strange that they're signing players without an appointed manager

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 30/05/2015, 1:05 PM

It will be a relatively close run thing. Randolph has a much higher profile than Henderson, Murphy or Logan. Adrian is a good goalkeeper though.

**Charlie Darwin** · 30/05/2015, 1:33 PM

Adrian can be overcome. I'm always wary about players signing for clubs without managers though.

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 02/07/2015, 5:06 PM

Somewhere in a dark, dingy bar, a man sits on a stool reading a newspaper and smoking a cigar. He's nursing a Jack Daniels, straight, no ice. The man is waiting for an associate. He look at his watch. "10:45" he grumbles to himself. His associate is late. He doesn't like being kept waiting. "This better be good news" he says to himself and chuckles. The bartender catches his gaze while wiping the counter. "What're you looking at"? The bartender quickly averts his gaze.

The associate enters the smoky haze of the bar and climbs in the seat next to the mysterious man. "B-b-bad n-n-news buh-boss". He slaps the newspaper on the counter. "The Irish Examiner" the mysterious man grumbles. "This is what youse kept me waiting for"?

"Go to p-p-page 42, Stutts" the associate trembles.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/s...op-340304.html

Darren Randolph earmarked as long-term successor to Shay Given in goal for Ireland

The mysterious man slams his fist on the bar. "That kid is no good I tells ya"!

**Stuttgart88** · 02/07/2015, 7:34 PM

Very funny! Still, he frustrates me. He should be brilliant but sometimes just lets soft goals in, including some really poor ones, and I don't see him being consistently good enough. I'd love him to prove me wrong.

I've had my doubts about him since he made a howler against England U21s at Turners Cross. He had a poor SFA Cup Final making the classic mistake of taking a step sideways just before a direct free, which went in just where he had moved from. I thought he was beaten too easily for Ireland against both Oman and (especially) Spain and I thought he got away with murder in the last game of the season before last, an error nearly getting Brum relegated. I think his decision making is a bit suspect too. Just saying...

**samhaydenjr** · 03/07/2015, 1:50 AM

Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

Somewhere in a dark, dingy bar, a man sits on a stool reading a newspaper and smoking a cigar. He's nursing a Jack Daniels, straight, no ice. The man is waiting for an associate. He look at his watch. "10:45" he grumbles to himself. His associate is late. He doesn't like being kept waiting. "This better be good news" he says to himself and chuckles. The bartender catches his gaze while wiping the counter. "What're you looking at"? The bartender quickly averts his gaze.

The associate enters the smoky haze of the bar and climbs in the seat next to the mysterious man. "B-b-bad n-n-news buh-boss". He slaps the newspaper on the counter. "The Irish Examiner" the mysterious man grumbles. "This is what youse kept me waiting for"?

"Go to p-p-page 42, Stutts" the associate trembles.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/s...op-340304.html

Darren Randolph earmarked as long-term successor to Shay Given in goal for Ireland

The mysterious man slams his fist on the bar. "That kid is no good I tells ya"!

Exactly how long are we expecting Shay to keep playing for us?

**DeLorean** · 03/07/2015, 9:42 AM

I haven't seen an awful lot of Randolph but I'd imagine he'll be doing very well to dislodge Adrian. He seems very consistent.

**Charlie Darwin** · 03/07/2015, 11:42 AM

Probably the last word I'd use to describe Adrian.

**DeLorean** · 03/07/2015, 12:13 PM

Fair enough, I take it he makes howlers quite regularly going by that statement? Looked decent any time I've seen him to be honest.

**Kingdom** · 03/07/2015, 12:18 PM

Same here. That said I hate West Ham and only watch them if it's absolutely necessary.

**DeLorean** · 03/07/2015, 1:32 PM

Like when Russell Brand is round your gaf?

**Stuttgart88** · 03/07/2015, 2:38 PM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Fair enough, I take it he makes howlers quite regularly going by that statement? Looked decent any time I've seen him to be honest.

That's what I'd have thought too. He looked a little ropey in his first few games but he really grew into the role and has been consistently good in my opinion, and often excellent.

**SkStu** · 03/07/2015, 4:13 PM

He's a very good keeper in the sense that has quite a few very good games but also a few nightmares. He's mad as a hatter too. He's good to watch.

**Olé Olé** · 03/07/2015, 5:02 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

He's a very good keeper in the sense that has quite a few very good games but also a few nightmares. He's mad as a hatter too. He's good to watch.

Many keepers tend to erase those nightmares from their games when they hit their peak though, in fairness. Reckon he could manage same? From what I've seen, I think he could. I'm disappointed he couldn't find a club where he'd be in a better position to challenge the number one. Adrian built up a good amount of goodwill last season and maybe he's a better keep anyway... It's a tough one.