A Goalkeeper destined for the World Cup when we signed him in January.
What went wrong? Would we have achieved safety earlier had Johann been given more of a chance? Would he have displaced Hugo Lloris in the French team for Brazil ?
It was a strange one, because he came with a fantastic reputation of being one of the best keepers in France. Yet that didn't convert onto the pitch, and he certainly didn't inspire any confidence. Did he come from a league where keepers are less pressured, and he 'flair' keepers such as him can cope better?
But that doesnt cover for getting beaten at your near post a la Middlesbrough etc.
Apart from his poor positioning, clumsy handling, and his kicking which made Deano look like Jonny Wilkinson, he was.....nope, nothing positive to say about him. He was shite.
Who actually claimed that he had a chance of making the World Cup? The official site, some goon on here, a news site..? I fail to see how that was ever a possibility.
truly truly rubbish. reminds me of a 5 a side keeper who looks great in small goals and then on a big pitch lets shots from the halfway line bounce over his head due to no positional sense.
the future is bright...the future is Nick Pope. A true keepers`keeper. Why parry the ball when you can catch pigeons?
Thuram is a good lad but thrown right in at the deep end at the start. Hamer's form as well as Powell's/Riga's decisions (nothing form Roland) meant he was the no.2 when fit. He will return to SL soon but he has learnt from the experience of playing in England and a different style of football.
His arrival did hasten Ben Alnwick's departure. BA's son was recently born blind (not anything terminal) so he wanted to tie down somewhere so he could get his son the treatment at one place. Charlton knew this when he signed but said that they really wanted him at the club. Apparently the therapy required for his son is best done by one therapist rather than seeing people all over the country. He was worried by Thuram's arrival so felt it was better he go somewhere where he could be assured of playing, hence the Leyton move. Then once he was there he felt he really needed to spend more time with his family for a bit, especially as his Mrs. was feeling quite drained by looking after their kid and moving up and down the country. Ben Roberts says BA will be back playing the professional game very soon.
All the GKs are a really tight group and a good bunch of lads. Ben Roberts has really high hopes for Pope who recently won the Sky L2 player of the month award.
That is all I remember from last night's sponsors dinner on this matter.
That's the first I had read about Ben's son. I hope everything works out for all the family. Ben did so well for us when called upon. This from GreenWithEnvy helps explain a lot. Many thanks
he would throw everything he had at the ball to try and stop it. Head, legs, fist.... the one thing he didn't like to do was catch. Too erratic for what we needed. I think if a decent goalkeeping coach got a hold of him and taught him how to command his area and catch rather than punch i think he would be a good keeper.
Erratic goalkeepers are fine, but you have to be able to catch.
I only saw him a couple of times, he didn't look as bad as some on here would say, but he was undoubtedly "thrown in at the deep end" and didn't help himself when he allegedly refused to go to Leeds. Almost all goalies have ups and downs - Hamer certainly has had his bad games since that save at Elland Rd.
Thanks @Greewithenvy .Personally I was an Alnwick rather than Hamer supporter and am grateful for the update about his mystery problem. Hopefully that will stop some of the more lurid speculation.
In terms of Thuram there is a massive difference between a genuine contender for the French World Cup squad and Conference level. The reported comments from Ben Roberts make sense . I suspect he might get a game at Blackpool tomorrow.
A Goalkeeper destined for the World Cup when we signed him in January.
What went wrong? Would we have achieved safety earlier had Johann been given more of a chance? Would he have displaced Hugo Lloris in the French team for Brazil ?
Discuss
He was only destined for the World Cup in his own head.
Comments
But that doesnt cover for getting beaten at your near post a la Middlesbrough etc.
Said on the thread at the time - that I wasn't convinced by his positioning and late movement, covered only by his spectacular saves.
And that was before I saw his handling.
Same with Reza
we cannot pass judgement just yet, I expect him to play v Blackpool
the future is bright...the future is Nick Pope. A true keepers`keeper. Why parry the ball when you can catch pigeons?
Thuram is a good lad but thrown right in at the deep end at the start. Hamer's form as well as Powell's/Riga's decisions (nothing form Roland) meant he was the no.2 when fit. He will return to SL soon but he has learnt from the experience of playing in England and a different style of football.
His arrival did hasten Ben Alnwick's departure. BA's son was recently born blind (not anything terminal) so he wanted to tie down somewhere so he could get his son the treatment at one place. Charlton knew this when he signed but said that they really wanted him at the club. Apparently the therapy required for his son is best done by one therapist rather than seeing people all over the country. He was worried by Thuram's arrival so felt it was better he go somewhere where he could be assured of playing, hence the Leyton move. Then once he was there he felt he really needed to spend more time with his family for a bit, especially as his Mrs. was feeling quite drained by looking after their kid and moving up and down the country. Ben Roberts says BA will be back playing the professional game very soon.
All the GKs are a really tight group and a good bunch of lads. Ben Roberts has really high hopes for Pope who recently won the Sky L2 player of the month award.
That is all I remember from last night's sponsors dinner on this matter.
As for Thuram, signings are often hyped up. Weren't several of Europe's top clubs after Yassin Moutaouakil before we signed him...
Erratic goalkeepers are fine, but you have to be able to catch.
In terms of Thuram there is a massive difference between a genuine contender for the French World Cup squad and Conference level. The reported comments from Ben Roberts make sense . I suspect he might get a game at Blackpool tomorrow.
Been turning thoroughbreds into nags since 1905.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yohann_Thuram-Ulien