If you think a couple of mistakes of a 20 year old keeper means you write him off just recall De Gea's early games for United 3 seasons a go, he was an embarrassment, 10 times worse than Pope's errors. But Fergie just stuck with him and showed belief, now look at him.
Before those mistakes he kept us in some games too, like Huddersfield. Pulling off saves like some of the best shot stoppers I have seen play for Charlton. I always felt like Kiely and Illic (although prone to some mistakes) were almost worth a 1-0 lead on their own . If Pope continues to develop and learns to command his area he'll be a quality keeper.
Potential tobe a quality keeper but may decide he would rather 1st choice football at a lower level than competing for a bench space with a network keeper.
Competition can only be healthy for him too. As I said in an earlier post, a lot of work has gone into the development of Nick Pope. When Pope went out on loan to Bury, Ben Roberts told the fans that it was always the plan to send him out as part of his devlopment.
My view point is that his confidence was badly dented after Henderson was injured so Pope was sent to a L2 team instead of a L1 team because he's always going to be a star in a L2 team. He did it last year at York and seems to be doing it this year. Keepers, like strikers thrive off of confidence.
Hopefully Pope sticks with us and sees that he has a future with us. I don't think he needs to worry too much about Etheridge as competition. Just Dmitrovic and Henderson. It can only be healthy. Ben Roberts is the right person to guide him through it too.
We need to do whatever we can to keep hold of him if he's having any thoughts of moving on. He'll be a decent Premier League goalkeeper by the end of his career.
Thing is Goalkeepers dont usually peak in their careers until at least 29 and with them having to do less running around they can have longer careers than the outfield players so there is every chance that Nick Pope still has a good 20 years in the game provided he stays committed to the game and stays fit (i.e. take Mark Schwarzer and Brad Friedal for example)
On top of that after seeing how Roger Johnson is with Morgan Fox, i.e. constantly communicating etc... I'd like to see Pope given a chance behind him at some stage as Bikey seems to be the sort who hides himself these days where as Johnson seems to give everyone the required confidence booster
Another clean sheet for Nick, and while you can say "it's only L2", we'd be very very happy if you knew we were signing a young keeper getting the kind of reviews you see here. But he's ours, and we need to keep him for the long term
"Pope is going to prove to be signing of the season" "Best goalkeeper I've seen at Gigg Lane in the last decade, even better than Kasper in my opinion" " that save was astonishing and was probably one of the best ever seen at Gigg, certainly in my 50 years of watching."
Get him back here in the summer and lets see what Luzon's motivational style can do to him... Keep Dmitrovic as third choice and release Etheridge (Sorry but too old to be so far down the pecking order)
Had a chat with him post game, he said that's his best save ever in first half, and as I was told at plymouth , he's very keen on staying here, horses mouth
Maybe it's just lip service - but we need to make sure we don't lose him for peanuts if we lose him at all.
We have spent too much time and money trying to develop him to lose him for peanuts. He needs to stay IMO. Henderson will most probably go to a Prem Club to sit on their bench (Hamer and Elliot style) if he keeps this level of form up so we need to keep him.
Driving home last night, listening to Talksport and the Bury manager was on the phone. He was bigging up Pope no end, basically putting his form forward as the main reason for their good run. Good to hear. I'd like to see him back and loaned out again to a higher L1 side to continue his development. He has a long career ahead of him and I think he can be successful with us in time.
So that's now 9 games for Bury and only 5 goals conceded in those games.
So after the Luton game that's now 10 games for Bury and only 5 goals conceded.
He's got to be our number 2 next season.
he kept a load of clean sheets for york last season, people said he needs to be number 1 here this season, was number 2 and when he got a chance made a few mistakes and people got on his back.
IMO he needs to go to a league 1 club next season, not league 2 again and see what happens then
If he helps Bury get promoted this season it could be worth giving him another loan there, obviously he likes the club and the fans rate him. Gives him the chance to continue improving at a higher level. That is unless we want him in our squad next season.
Comments
My view point is that his confidence was badly dented after Henderson was injured so Pope was sent to a L2 team instead of a L1 team because he's always going to be a star in a L2 team. He did it last year at York and seems to be doing it this year. Keepers, like strikers thrive off of confidence.
Hopefully Pope sticks with us and sees that he has a future with us. I don't think he needs to worry too much about Etheridge as competition. Just Dmitrovic and Henderson. It can only be healthy. Ben Roberts is the right person to guide him through it too.
On top of that after seeing how Roger Johnson is with Morgan Fox, i.e. constantly communicating etc... I'd like to see Pope given a chance behind him at some stage as Bikey seems to be the sort who hides himself these days where as Johnson seems to give everyone the required confidence booster
http://www.gigglane.com/showthread.php/25642-Pope
For example:
"Pope is going to prove to be signing of the season"
"Best goalkeeper I've seen at Gigg Lane in the last decade, even better than Kasper in my opinion"
" that save was astonishing and was probably one of the best ever seen at Gigg, certainly in my 50 years of watching."
He does seem to make an impact when he goes somewhere doesn't he.
Would like to see him back for next season but i have a feeling we won't see him.
Big gloves to fill, but I rate him that much.."
He's got to be our number 2 next season.
IMO he needs to go to a league 1 club next season, not league 2 again and see what happens then