Casper Schmeichel

[Pesam]

Interestingly, Tyrell Belford, whom we released last season, has started the last 3 League One games for Swindon after their No. 1 keeper Foderingham got injured. Belford had been on the bench for a large part of the season, which isn't too bad, given he's just 20.

I think he's played about 6 or 7 games now and although I've not seen him play I know the Swindon fans were not overly enamoured with his first few outings. Still, as you mention he's only 20 and maybe he'll improve as he gets a few games under belt.

 

[Spaghetti Legs]

He's definitely good enough for the EPL but is prone to the odd error and flaps at crosses a bit. He's an excellent shot-stopper and very good at one-on-ones but he's not better than Mignolet and he'd be daft to come here as a No.2.

When Reina was at his best I always wanted us to get rid of all the shite young keepers we had and sign an old head (Jaasskalinen and Speroni were the 2 I suggested) as cover. Now that we have Ming who's good but there are doubts about him, we need a very good young keeper to keep Ming on his toes. Darlow of Forest fits the bill and if they don't get promoted we should offer them £4m-£5m.

Don't know much about Darlow at all but don't you think with good young promising goalkeepers like him its better for them that they are actually playing, developing and learning their trade instead on sitting on a bench?

You are right in what you say about the tramp and Speroni i reckon, having an old experienced goalie as number 2 is the way it should be, il'd much rather have a Schwarzer, Cudicini, Friedel type sat on the bench ready to come on than a young inexperienced goalkeeper that hasn't any game time (even if he his talented and promising), remember Scott Carson, 2005 could nearly of never been because of him against Juve.

Jack Butland is a highly rated young goalie, seems pointless for him to be sat on the bench at Stoke though, can't see how that is in anyway good for him and his development, though it did look like Stoke thought Begovic was off so he was meant to be playing more.

 

[Spaghetti Legs]

On Schmeichel, theres no doubt that was a highly impressive performance last night, obviously praising a manc isn't good but his dad was something special, Casper really did look a clone of him at times last night - the Welbeck toe poke and Sturridge chance.

Only 27? thats still young for a goalie, will be interesting to watch him next season to see how good he really is.

 

[Pesam]

Don't know much about Darlow at all but don't you think with good young promising goalkeepers like him its better for them that they are actually playing, developing and learning their trade instead on sitting on a bench?

You are right in what you say about the tramp and Speroni i reckon, having an old experienced goalie as number 2 is the way it should be, il'd much rather have a Schwarzer, Cudicini, Friedel type sat on the bench ready to come on than a young inexperienced goalkeeper that hasn't any game time (even if he his talented and promising), remember Scott Carson, 2005 could nearly of never been because of him against Juve.

Jack Butland is a highly rated young goalie, seems pointless for him to be sat on the bench at Stoke though, can't see how that is in anyway good for him and his development, though it did look like Stoke thought Begovic was off so he was meant to be playing more.

I think the ideal set up is to have an established top quality keeper between the age of 23-36 and then an experienced quality back up aged 35+ and then an 18-20 year old 3rd choice with bags of potential. The problem is I have doubts about Ming and think we could bring Darlow in and let them compete for the No.1 position i.e. Ming starts the season and Darlow gets FA Cup and League Cup games but if Ming drops a clanger or two Darlow gets his chance. After 12 months we'd hopefully know which is better option and we'd still get a few million back for Darlow (if we choose Ming as No.1) and we'd get £5-£6m for Ming if we choose Darlow as No.1

I think there's every chance we'd end up with Darlow as No.1 and then we could look to get an experienced "old-timer" to be our No.2.

 

[kingjulian]

I think when Reina first came in he was a top quality shot stopper and he never let his head drop....something just wasn't right in his last season and a half....

 

[Spaghetti Legs]

That does change things if you are thinking number 1 goalie, don't anything about Darlow so can't comment really.