QuoteDude, you said he was droppedOriginally Posted by pineapple stu
Must have missed him playing in it so...
I think I was fairly clear there could have been a number of reasons behind it and was just posting it for news, but I think we can also be fairly clear that he isn't safe and secure in his position at the moment either.
Dude, you said he was dropped
There were about 7 other changes made for the blackpool game, i think most people would have said they were prioritizing tonights game.
Yup. And I don't think he played, no?
No, but you told me it maybe wishful thinking when I said that he was no more dropped than Allison was for other cup games.
Not gonna keep going over and back on it but I just find your opinion on Bazunu from day one when he came into the Ireland squad a bit odd.
Had a decent game, very good double save in the second half.
I thought he "might" have saved the first. Certainly not at fault but a missed opportunity for a great save.
I think if you look closely enough you'll see the second goal took a slight deflection on way in, I think he'd have saved it otherwise. The shot looked really clean but was going into the very middle of the goal before a slight nick took it wide of him.
Very good double save, as Asterix noted, and some very accurate long passes. One flap at a corner and one where I think he did well to get a fist on it even if the punch was a bit unconvincing. Each time he had a lot of bodies to come through.
Last edited by Stuttgart88; 01/02/2023 at 11:20 AM.
Interesting you say that - one of the main criticisms on the Southampton forum is similar. "Other keepers sometimes pull off great saves, this bloke never does. I honestly can’t recall ever thinking “he did well to save that”", for example. It kind of ties in with the xG stats I think.
And it has to be noted their forum has to be taken with a bit of salt - lot of unhelpful general ranting given they're bottom of the table - and the defence gets its fair share of stick too. But thought the similarity in view with Southampton fans was worth flagging.
I think so far this season the first bit is fair.
As for the defence, the first 20 mins was unbelievably bad. They gave up 3 clear shooting opportunities from 12 yards or so. Two goals, one pulled wide. It was actually a miracle that Southampton made a game of it at all.
He got down quick enough to get a touch on the shot for the first goal. If you can get a touch, it is “saveable”. That said, if he kept it out, it’s a save of the season contender. And he does make good saves – he won save of the month in the PL for November.
You can always wish more, for example his xG stats are apparently poor (don’t know how this compares with goalies at the bottom of the PL in previous seasons?), but I think he is doing fine from what I see. And it is noteworthy that Southampton were relatively active in the transfer window and chose not to sign a goalie.
His save against the mighty Luxembourg away game
Was one of the greatest saves ive ever seen.
Arguably saved Kenny's job
Probably the best I've seen from an Ireland goalkeeper in an Ireland game. Not in overall context (Bonner in Stuttgart, Genoa...) but qualitatively. His save from Mitrovic's header in Dublin was right up there too.
'Murica!
"kind of ties in with the xG stats I think" -- I'm definitely not one to run to stats to feel the need to re-enforce my opinion but in footballing terms they are probably most apt for a GK. At the end of the day its goals and saves. Passing and distribution nice to haves, but if the first doesnt come no point in having the second.
On Bazunu PS does seem a little more negative about him than other players who I believe would be as deserving of the same attention but that said I have a niggling feeling about him. I think he can deceive with the odd brilliant piece of GK but its masking an ordinality behind it all.
Last edited by paul_oshea; 01/02/2023 at 2:11 PM.
Mucksavage!
I'd never say something like that though. I'd never over indulge in colloquialisms. Far too sophisticated for any of that commonality, low grade behaviour.
I think the biggest thing I take from Bazunu this season is that his learning curve is just highlighted more than most other keepers due to playing playing at such a high level so young. Any keeper learning their trade will make mistakes and take time to adjust to senior football but when you are learning in the most watched league in the world and happen to be playing on a crap team where you get no coverage from your defenders, there are times where questions will be asked by fans looking for a scapegoat.
I seem to remember a couple of times when he was on loan at Portsmouth where the fans were on his back a bit but they loved him before he left. For the most part he has been good but not spectacular, even if he did win save of the month as someone mentioned above.
I keep saying it, hes 20! Personally I think hes doing amazingly well for a fella that age
We know he can make the spectacular saves though. I think he's just been a bit shook this season. As I said earlier it must be difficult to get set when chances are being coughed up that shouldn't be. Hopefully he can settle, get his confidence back and then the big saves will come. He has plenty of highlight reels but is probably so focused on the basics that he isn't hitting the highest levels he can.
20 leagues and 25 cups.
Not often enough though, it seems. Look at the Armenia game for example. Two goals he (and others, to be clear) should have done better for. That's what counts ultimately.
I also remember talking to Niall Corbet about UCD's Euro games and he said he really enjoyed the game in Luxemburg in particular; he had nothing to lose from facing so many shots. I used to enjoy games like that too (to a certain extent!). Everyone will be different of course, but I don't think it's set in stone that playing behind a dodgy defence automatically hits morale/form.
You've spoken about how he may take 4/5 years to reach his peak and that could well be the case (though I'd hope it'd be sooner). I just look at France being next month though and wonder if he's the best option right now.
Kelleher's situation isn't ideal either - I've said before I admire Bazunu for the bravery to leave City - but I'd feel happier with Kelleher in nets for the moment tbh. And I don't think a change of keeper will make a massive difference against France of course.
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