QuoteVote early, vote often. CK currently at 61%Originally Posted by SkStu
Goalkeepers are different to outfield players - and many are 'late bloomers' - Alisson was 26 when Liverpool signed him and at that point he had made 81 league appearances - 44 of them in Argentina and 37 for Roma.
Vote early, vote often. CK currently at 61%
I think it's pretty clear at this stage that experience isn't something he's lacking. He looks right at home at a very high level. On another thread we were commenting on Craig Gordon, still razor sharp at 42.
Every week that passes CK's lack of match experience is becoming much less of an issue imo. Bazunu's injury on top of Alisson missing so many games has been a huge boost for him. He's played cup finals, CL, PL, plenty of international games, the quantity of games isn't huge but improved massively now. but the quality is very high.
I'd have thought Bazunu's choices were leading him to have a much better career 12/24 months ago, but things look considerably different now
Its not really about being a late bloomer, it is about experience. I agree with whoever said it was less of a factor now woth Kelleher tested at the highest levels consistently. I just thought it interesting that the article called it out - just like we have on here.
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
I wouldn't rule out Bazunu either. He's more than three years younger than Kelleher, and if we take a really long term view he's likely to be in and around the Ireland team for a few years after Kelleher has finished up. The only difference for Bazunu now is that the bar to get the Ireland number 1 jersey before then has been significantly raised. But I'm sure he'll back himself to get back fit and playing, probably in the Championship in the first instance, and then continue to build from there.
Anyone see McCarthy v Liverpool? Brutal. Russell Martin says Bazunu is flying in training, they're having to hold him back. He might even get some PL minutes in the spring. Before they get relegated.
Edit: Ramsdale is there of course. Duh.
Yes it's a shame Ramsdale's injury happened while Bazunu was still out. Though part of me thinks it might not be the worst thing necessarily either, being the goalkeeper for Southampton is a bit of a thankless task this season. Will be interesting to see if Ramsdale's still there next season, if he is Bazunu will need to move - probably elsewhere in the Championship.
And just after I post this I see Southampton have dropped McCarthy for Lumley (who is really not a good keeper even at Championship level). Very rare to see a Premier League team having to throw in their fourth choice keeper. Shows that Bazunu would at least have got a few games in the Premier League this season if fit. Though, again, maybe questionable how beneficial that would actually be.
Last edited by Eirambler; 29/11/2024 at 6:08 PM.
I will repeat what I have said before - Ireland are very fortunate to have two such high calibre goalkeepers that will be involved for the next 10-15 years (and Travers is no slouch either).
The injury that Bazunu suffered is a very serious one for a goalkeeper - it impacts on the ability of a keeper to use his feet to push off from the ground - diving, but particularly jumping. It is also an injury that can re-occur and it is an injury that usually occurs at the end of a career, not the start. So Bazunu needs to rehab properly and should not be rushed back. I would be happier if he didn't play this season.
Despite this - Bazunu still has the potential to develop into a top class goalkeeper - but Kelleher is ahead of him, but some distance, at the moment.
It's said that a sign of a top class keeper is having nothing to do for about 85 minutes, but still being focused enough to step up and produce a big stop from an opposition chance out of nowhere when it's needed.
Kelleher should ge some more games anyway.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024...hed-back-slot/
[QUOTE=seanfhear;2209798]Kelleher should get some more games anyway QUOTE]
But come March - and barring any further injuries - we could have Kelleher, Bazunu and Travers warming their club benches and only O'Leary playing first team football regularly.
Sounds like Kelleher has earned himself a few more starts anyway - in the sense that his form allows Liverpool to hold Alisson back until he's absolutely 100% fit, rather than throwing him back in at 80% which they might have done if they weren't fully convinced by Kelleher.
Really bad night for Kelleher,granted he was playing behind a defence that was not up to scratch but his error for the third was really poor,probably could have done better for the second aswell….
Irish by birth ,Harps by the grace of god.
It seems like he just had a brain fart and suddenly decided to leave it instead of taking what might otherwise have been a routine catch. While Kelleher is exceptional in one on ones and penalties and has sharp reactions my suspicion that he's vulnerable to high balls remains. That said, it was a freakishly good finish. I love how Schar anticipated and reacted to the mistake. In Arsenal v Man U last night Saliba(?) would have had a simple tap in if he had been ready for a defender missing a routine header inside the 6 yard box. Always anticipate the mistake!
Last edited by Stuttgart88; 05/12/2024 at 11:24 AM.
Bad timing for that mistake from Kelleher ~ ~ I reckon he may well have got this game bar that mistake in the last game.
Sounds like Alisson had a great game as well. Ah well...of they get an offer they can't refuse in the Jan window maybe...
Not wishing an injury on any player ~ ~ But that could be what happens, either with another club or maybe even Liverpool.
He'd be crazy to go anywhere before the end of the season. He's odds on to add a league title to his European Cup, Super Cup, FA Cup and League Cup medals if he stays. And - other than the League Cup wins - this would be the one he'll have contributed to the most.
He'll play a lot more at his next club, but he'll win a lot less silverware too.
Another good performance by Kelleher. Nothing he could do about the goal. One excellent save late at 2-1 and a few other good saves across the game.
Injuries aside, could see him play up to 4 games in January. League cup semi final first then fa cup fourth round, then potentially two champions league games
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